DISJOINTED City of York recovered from conceding a goal after just 12 seconds to draw 2-2 at home to Oxton in the Northern Hockey League premier division.

Chris Dutton, back from injury after three weeks out, did get York's noses in front but they had to settle for a point after a display which left coach Nigel Herd far from happy.

They were not too impressive either the following day when they edged past Midland League outfit Mansfield 2-1 to go into the fourth round of the Hockey England National Cup, when they will visit National League division one side Beeston, based in Nottingham.

York were stunned at the start against Oxton when the visitors lofted an aerial ball from the push-back towards the home goal. Karim Ramli half stopped it but it deflected past Gordon Jennings, who slipped.

The ball ran into the path of the Oxton forwards, who charged upfield and slipped the ball past net-minder James Riley.

After losing Luke Griggs with a re-occurrence of a hamstring injury, York took time to get their game together but levelled through Mark Little after a short corner.

Then Glynn Humphrey turned out of a tackle, span between two midfielders and Jimmy Gilbert, who switched the ball to Dutton to shoot York ahead after 25 minutes.

York were still struggling to find their rhythm with several players out of position and Oxton equalised at a short corner when Riley made a good save but the loose ball was tucked away.

Nick Carter was yellow carded after giving away a free hit and York were forced to settle for a point but will need to improve against second-placed Southport next week.

Matt Couttie was City's match-winner against Mansfield.

York were without three key players so coach Herd gave competitive debuts to four teenagers from the Under-17 and U15 ranks.

Mansfield's lively forwards posed a threat early on and York were grateful that 'keeper Riley was on form.

York's situation took a turn for the worse when skipper Mark Little had to leave the field due to illness and resolute defender Gordon Jennings took a blow to the head and ribs and also went off.

But City moved up a gear after half-time with Chris Dutton's determined running and tackling putting Mansfield under real pressure for the first time. Dutton broke the deadlock on the break, when he picked up a pass on the left and slid the ball under the 'keeper.

Mansfield equalised when a forward forced his way to the top of the 'D' and shot past Riley.

But Little returned from the bench to lift York and with ten minutes to go they won a penalty corner. The ball was switched left to Couttie whose first shot was blocked but he reverse-swept the ball home for the winner.

City of York II lost 1-0 at Wakefield I, who missed a penalty stroke before netting a second-half winner.

Ashley Watson, who was superb in York's goal, saved a second penalty to stop Wakefield doubling their tally.

City of York III hammered Brigg II 6-0 in Yorkshire League division three although the floodgates did not open until the 20th minute with a Simon Williams goal from a short corner routine.

Williams added a second before half-time and Eric Folliott (penalty stroke), Alistair Brennan, Jason Bemrose and newcomer Matt Fletcher netted the other goals.

It was a completely different story for City of York IV, who went down 4-0 in division five against a fine Grimsby I team.

A stirring comeback by City of York V was not enough to prevent them going down 4-3 at home to Harrogate IV in division seven.

The visitors led 4-0 but James Still and Richard Cockram opened up Harrogate's defence for David da Silva to score twice and Pat Birch added a third. York, who were the superior side, pressed hard for an equaliser but ran out of time.

There were also division seven goals galore at Harrogate V where City of York VI lost 6-4.

York trailed 4-1 at one stage but fought back to level only for their North Yorkshire rivals to score twice more. On target for York were Dough Thompson, Clive Mills-Hicks (2) and Neil Reader.

City of York VII's division eight game against Adel V was abandoned in darkness at 1-1 when the floodlight timing device at St John's College failed to come on as it was still set to summer time hours. Damien Greig had opened the scoring for York.

City of York VIII v Harrogate VI was cancelled.

Updated: 12:24 Tuesday, November 05, 2002