CITY of York's unbeaten record in the Men's Northern Hockey League first division came to an end on Saturday.

They were beaten 2-1 at home by title rivals Oxton and will still need to put in plenty of hard work over the remaining weeks of the season to get back into the premier division - starting against Deeside Ramblers next week.

Second-placed Oxton left one man upfield and packed their defence, a ploy that frustrated City, whose power was reduced when Paul Sangwin went off with a hamstring injury.

Chris Dutton's mobility was also hindered by a foot injury and Chris Wilson was struggling with a heavy cold.

But that was no reason for York to play as badly as they did in the opening half with passes going astray. They could have no complaints at being 2-0 down at half-time.

York altered their tactics after the break, switching Nick Carter into a deeper role and he was able to feed the wing men, who put Oxton on the back foot.

York pulled a goal back at a short corner through Glyn Humphrey, who had earlier missed a couple of chances, but were denied an equaliser several times in a ten-minute spell by the brilliance of the Oxton'keeper.

Oxton's victory trimmed York's lead at the top to six points.

A depleted City of York II, lacking the likes of Graham Cook, Mark Little and John McRory, were beaten 3-0 at Norton I in division two east.

Adam Simpson came closest to scoring for York in the first half but Norton took the lead when one of their forwards got away from Phil Clark and the umpire ruled that 'keeper James Baughan committed a foul on the Norton attacker.

Norton netted from the resulting penalty stroke and increased their lead as a shot hit a post, clipped Baughan and was put away by another player following up.

Norton sealed the points late in the game with a flick over Baughan.

Driffield I won 3-2 at City of York III in a scrappy Yorkshire league division four encounter.

York fell behind to Driffield's first attack of the match but after going close several times, York levelled through Jason Bemrose.

Adam Jackson rode a couple of tackles before firing York into the lead but Driffield netted a couple of goals in the final quarter to take the spoils.

City of York IV went some way to restoring club pride with a 1-1 draw with Hull II in division four.

Mark Dransfield fired them ahead after just three minutes and forced a fine save from the Hull goalkeeper shortly afterwards.

Hull equalised when they cashed in on a stray York pass and only a brilliant second half save by 'keeper Ashley Watson, deflecting the ball over the bar while lying on the ground, prevented Hull gaining victory.

Mark Smith and Matthew Still were on target as City of York V lost 4-2 at Huddersfield III in division six. York, who were well served by Matthew Merrick and Bernard Chase, did well in the first half but lost their shape and style after the interval.

Tom Sorby marked his City of York V debut by scoring in the 1-1 draw at Ben Rhydding V.

York's cause was not helped by an early injury to newly-promoted Daniel Morrish, but they battled on.

After Russell Grant saw a shot cleared off the line Sorby converted Peter Feasby's cross seven minutes from time. Mark Burn had a good game for York in goal.

City of York VII provided the club with its only win of the day when they thumped Slazengers IV 6-2 in division eight.

Alistair Blacklee opened the scoring, then Tim Jolly rattled home a shot from the top of the 'D' before Blacklee scored his second goal before half-time.

Slazengers hit back with a penalty and a goal from a short corner, but Jolly and Blacklee netted again before Ben Foster tucked home the last goal after Damian Greg's effort was saved. Graham McFaul and Neil Buckley starred in defence.

Updated: 14:18 Tuesday, January 22, 2002