CITY of York 1st XI ended their Northern League division one programme before the Christmas break with a dramatic 5-5 draw with visitors Lytham St Annes.

With other results going their way, York extended their lead at the top to 12 points, but have played one game more than the chasing pack.

It looked as though they were going to lose as they trailed 5-3 to Lytham with ten minutes remaining and skipper Mark Moisley in the sin bin.

But he returned to the field to lead his team to a last-ditch point.

Chris Wilson fired home first, the ball hit so hard it went through a hole in the net.

In the last five minutes Moisley levelled when he deflected a shot past the visiting 'keeper.

Lytham had taken an early lead but York soon equalised through Jimmy Gilbert.

The hosts' usually tight defence was struggling against Lytham's sharp forwards, who forged a 3-1 lead.

York's young German player, Volker Biederich, who has not managed to score so far, grabbed his debut goal in a competitive first team game when he flicked the ball powerfully into the net.

Biederich then broke quickly away towards the opposition 'D' and his brilliant solo run was rewarded when he nudged the ball in to make it 3-3.

Before half-time, however, another gift saw Lytham restore their lead at 4-3 and the Lancashire side went on to open up a two-goal gap.

However, York roared back to grab a point and sign off before returning to league duty at Chester on January 12.

City of York II were unlucky to get only a point from a 2-2 division two east draw at Tynemouth, who equalised in the last five minutes.

City of York III's good run continued with an outstanding 5-0 win over Sheffield Hallam IV in Yorkshire League division four.

From the outset City posed trouble and were soon rewarded with a Jason Bemrose strike. Goals from Ian Butler, James Flint and two from Roger Jackson sealed victory.

A slightly weakened York IV side eked out a 1-1 draw at Ben Rhydding.

York V, strengthened in defence, fought out a 1-1 division six draw with Ben Rhydding IV.

The Ilkley side went ahead with a shot that City's 'keeper, Matthew Merrick, could only partially stop. It then crawled over the goal-line.

But York were level when David Da Silva calmly flicked home a short corner.

City defended well with Jules Bellerby, Paddy Feetenby and David Cook starring.

City had their hearts in their mouths as Ben Rhydding were awarded a short corner as the final whistle was blown. Merrick saved the initial strike superbly, the rebound being put wide.

City of York VI lost 6-1 to Rotherham V in division seven, where Chris Ince shone in York's midfield. Their lone goal came from Nick Longster's penalty flick.

After more than a month without a win, City of York VII hammered Chapletown III 6-0 in division eight.

Neil Reader gave York an early lead and City found themselves further ahead when Tim Jolly put through Mark Lambert with a fine reverse stick flick into the roof of the net.

York continued to run the show and a good move down the right ended with a cross from Damian Greig finding Dickie Bowen, who fired home.

Straight after the break a beautiful lay-off by Bowen found Graham McFaul, who drilled in.

Running the show, Greig crossed to Alistair Blacklee who deflected the ball past the struggling 'keeper. Bowen grabbed his second, and City's sixth, from another perfect cross form Greig.

York VIII were beaten 5-0 by a skilful Syngenta I.

Updated: 11:43 Tuesday, December 11, 2001