Third division Cygnet earned their first ever point in York Sunday Afternoon League at the weekend when they ended a run of 31 league matches, stretching back nearly two years, to avoid defeat at the 32nd attempt.

Playing host to Gimcrack, Cygnet took the lead through Morrison. However, it looked as though it would be the same old story as Gimcrack hit back with goals from Ford and Codling to go 2-1 up. Mizon then fired home the equaliser. With chances coming thick and fast only the woodwork and excellent goalkeeping from Ambler denied Cygnet their first ever league victory.

Although doomed to finish bottom of the league again, Cygnet can now boast the proud record over the last two seasons of: played 32, won 0, drawn 1, lost 31, for 37, against 209, points 4 - they were awarded three points after losing to a team who fielded a suspended player.

Who'll join Cygnet in seeking re-election is less clear cut as second from bottom Rose and Crown won their game against Central Science Laboratory, who were two places above them.

The pub side now move to within one point of the lab technicians after their 9-3 victory, with goals from Dunne, (4), Bodden (2), Jameson, Smith and Day. Quintero, Coello and Weller all scored for the Lab side, who drop to third from bottom.

Saville AV took a major step towards the third division title after beating fellow contenders, Wigginton Grasshoppers, by the odd goal in five.

Home side Saville led 2-1 at half-time, goals by Darren Haywood and Simon Collins sandwiching a penalty by McArthur.

Saville went 3-1 up as Paul Scaling fired home from six yards then, with five minutes remaining, McArthur again netted from the spot to pull it back to 3-2.

Wigginton now drop to third, their place being taken by Woodthorpe Warriors who got back to winning ways with a 3-1 victory at Acomb Athletic. Marshall struck twice and Brown once as Woodthorpe kept alive their promotional hopes while severely denting Acomb's.

The two sides who appear destined to finish mid-table, Old Grey Mare and Haxby Spartans, met each other with the former running out 6-1 winners, Adams hitting the lone reply for the Spartans.

Fossway stay

on title course

Fossway are now just one win away from the second division title after a harder than expected victory over relegation-threatened Bubwith Hunters. The only goal of the game came from Stuart Ogden whose 48th minute strike means that Fossway now have three games to achieve their target.

Goals form Tymon, Sullivan, Wadsworth and Andrew ensured Haxby United remain favourites for the runners-up spot after their 4-2 win at Black Dog Camblesforth, Newlove and Coult replying for the home side.

Two other teams in contention for the second promotion spot are College of Law and Burton Stone, who met each other on Sunday. Defeat for one would have severely dented their hopes of catching Haxby. it was Burton Stone who lost out after Adam Ewart and Alex Dumphy each scored for the students in a 2-1 win.

Ben Firth scored five times before the interval as Clifton Rangers took a 7-0 half-time lead against CB United with Adam Johnson and Jamie Isles hitting the other two. Isles then completed his hat-trick after the break, Firth netted his sixth and Tom Baker completed the rout as Rangers ran out 11-1 winners. Lee Jefferson scored the lone consolation.

Rawcliffe United went one better as they scored 11 times while keeping a clean sheet against Yearsley Grove. Oxley and Huby were both on target four times with Martin netting three.

York Nomads gained revenge for last week's FA cup defeat at the hands of York Police by winning this week's battle 3-2 to keep their hopes of the first division title on track.

The Nomads led 2-0 through Jamie Agnew and Kenny Crampton but the policemen came back in the last quarter with two strikes from Ward to level the game at 2-2. The Nomads winner came in the last minute, Agnew lobbing the keeper to return the visitors to joint top of the table.

Things are now looking bleak for Drum as they lost out to fellow relegation contenders Ebor Bishopthorpe. Karl Walsh struck twice and Adam Chapell and Jethro Chapell once each to give the home side a 4-3 win. Goals from Cammidge, Thompson and O'Brien were not enough for Drum.

Updated: 11:39 Friday, April 06, 2001