Cruel misfortune combined to tumble York Under-11s footballers out of the Green-Un Cup against Derby.

Indeed the York ranks, who had to forego home advantage because of unfit pitches, could feel green at the gills with indignation at the manner in which they went out of the national competition. They were undone by two deflections on a bobbly pitch to leave them too steep a hill to climb.

York played very attractive neat passing football, but a Derby shot from inside the penalty-area clipped off the uneven ground to force a handling error from the York goalkeeper leading to the only goal of the half.

The visitors continued to play passing football, although Derby's direct approach was more efficient in the difficult conditions. A long ball from Derby deflected off a York defender to make the score 2-0.

For the last 15 minutes York played an attacking 3-4-3 formation, penning the hosts back in their own half.

After Adam Jones went close with a shot that hit an upright, York produced a superb passing move using the full width of pitch in which substitute Scott Nicolls crossed for Danny Penrose to score.

York put tremendous pressure on the Derby goal, but the effort had come too late and they suffered their first defeat of the season.

All players meanwhile are asked to report to training on Saturday at All Saints from 11am to noon.

Manor School's U15 team have reached the semi-finals of the County Green Howards (U15) competition. To arrive there they beat Rossett High School (Harrogate), last year's champions 3-0, Richmond School 4-3 and then in the quarter-finals beat Harrogate Granby High School 5-0.

Updated: 12:33 Wednesday, January 24, 2001