Solid groundwork was put in by York City's young brigade in a 1-1 draw at North Ferriby United.

Taking up the trio of centre-back places were Martin Reed, Andrew Dawson and Graham Rennison and all performed admirably, enthused manager Alan Little.

"The youngsters need more experience of this system and they slotted into it fine. It was an excellent exercise and Ferriby looked after us well."

Rodney Rowe, partnered up front for the full 90 minutes by Neil Tolson, fired City ahead before a late leveller from the hosts.

Meanwhile, ex-City striker Paul Baker faces a three-month absence after breaking his ankle during an horrific collision in Hartlepool's friendly at Dunston.

Baker collided with home goalkeeper Andrew Hutchison, who fractured his leg in two places. The 'Pool player-coach walked off sickened by the 'keeper's injury, the game was abandoned soon after.

Now a hospital 'X'-ray has revealed Baker also fractured a bone in his ankle forcing another setback for the man, who spent most of last season sidelined with a badly broken leg.

Another one-time City star Jon McCarthy was on target with a rare header as Birmingham City beat a depleted Tottenham 4-2 in a friendly at St Andrews last night.

Sunderland defender Richard Ord, who spent a brief spell on loan at Bootham Crescent, was due to complete a £1million move to Queens Park Rangers today.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.