CITY of York I threw away victory at Deesside Ramblers which would have cemented their place at the top of the Northern Hockey League First Division.

Leading 2-0 at half-time they seemed well in control but were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw.

York have a four-point lead over Oxton, who thumped third place Alderley Edge 5-2, at the top. Alderley Edge are now nine points adrift of York.

York were quickly in control at Deesside and took the lead, Jimmy Gilbert ghosting past a pack of defenders to deliver a shot-cum-push which looped into the air, enabling him to volley home.

Soon after a neat angled pass from Nick Carter found Chris Wilson who was upended. Volker Biederich sent the 'keeper the wrong way with the penalty.

But just after half-time Deeside pulled a goal back when Gordon Jennings deflected the ball past his own 'keeper Jimmy Riley in a goalmouth scramble.

York lost their composure and started to cede possession, while Deeside stepped up the pace and created several chances.

The home side eventually equalised with a shot high into the roof of the net.

York now had to rely on Riley pulling off two fine saves to keep out Deeside.

The visitors managed to pull themselves together and were unlucky not to go ahead when Glyn Humphrey had a goal disallowed. In the last few minutes Oliver Couttie delivered a reverse stick shot which forced a desperate save from the Deeside 'keeper.

North of England youth fixtures deprived City of York II of key personnel, but they still beat Slazengers 2-0 in the NCL Second Division East.

Experienced players Jason Bemrose, Jimmy Flint, Colin Moore and Ian Butler were all promoted from the third team and helped York to dominate for long periods.

Despite their superiority, the closest York came to a goal in the first half was a cracking shot by Mark Little. But Slazengers eventually crept into the game and it needed two fine saves by James Baughan to keep them out.

Then, with five minutes remaining, John McRory, fluffed a shot, got it back from a poor clearance and slipped it to Moore who tapped the ball into an open goal.

Steve Prankett then collected a loose ball and advanced before passing to Moore who fed Little. His shot from the end of the circle gave the Slazengers' 'keeper no chance.

The victory gives York a decent chance to get away from the relegation zone.

Despite having several players on second team duty, City of York III came from behind to win 2-1 at Slazengers II in Yorkshire League Division Four.

Adam Jackson turned the game on its head with two goals inside ten minutes in the second half.

However, he missed the chance of a hat-trick when he hit a post with a penalty flick after Simon Williams was upended by the Slazengers' 'keeper.

Tim Downie, promoted from the fourth team, had an excellent game.

City of York IV got off to a flying start with the outstanding Edward Shouksmith netting twice in the first half at Bradford II while Pat Birch fired in the third after a goalmouth scramble.

After the interval a collective tiredness began to sweep through York's defence and Bradford were able to square the match.

Matt Merrick had a good game in goal for York.

Lincoln III beat City of York VII 2-1 in division eight with a controversial winner as a Lincoln forward appeared to use his feet to bring the ball into York's circle before scoring.

York had trailed, but drew level with a Neil Render goal. That's how it stayed until ten minutes from the end when the home side got their debatable winner.

A ten-man City of York VIII were sunk 5-0 at Sheffield University Bankers IX, three of the goals coming late in the game.

Peter Feasby and Richard Tanner-Smith were York's best performers.

Updated: 11:55 Tuesday, January 29, 2002