A LAST-GASP strike from Alex Cockram sealed a superb conquest of North Hockey League division one leaders Alderley Edge by have-a-go hosts City of York Hockey Club men’s first XI.

Cockram struck to shade the table-toppers by the odd goal in nine in a thrilling duel at Energise.

Ex-York player James Riley thwarted initial home raids with several saves and Alderley scored after a quality counter-attack.

After Lee Cuffe and Chris Wilson went close, City of York ’keeper Jon Chappell, who excelled with a number of fine saves, was beaten for a second time as Alderley seized on a loose pass. But just before half-time Cuffe bagged a smart reply.

The second half continued as the first – the hosts enjoying long periods of pressure but always under threat from breakaway raids.

Wilson fired a shot into the roof of the opposition’s net and then City of York bagged two more goals in six minutes by Richard Cockram, one from a penalty corner, the other finishing off good work by the midfield.

The two-goal lead lasted only a few minutes as Alderley rattled in a rapid double-strike.

Finally as the umpires were counting down the last few seconds a surging run by Mike Gamble drew a foul. From the free hit Gamble found Paul Hemsley who drilled the ball into the circle for Alex Cockram to score.

York regained top spot, two points clear of Alderley Edge and Leeds, who both play each other on Saturday before York host Leeds at Energise 24 hours later.

Promotion-chasing City of York II suffered a shock 5-2 Yorkshire League division one defeat at Sheffield Hallam fourths, but remain second.

York took an early lead when Nick Carter converted from the penalty spot.

In a dramatic last ten minutes of the first half, Hallam converted two penalty corners before good work from Lewis Mortimer saw York win a penalty corner converted by Rich Chandler to level.

A calamitous start to the second period saw York gift a goal, and soon after, concede a fourth.

York never truly threatened again and Hallam added a late fifth.

Despite a delepted line-up, featuring several fifth XI players who had already played, City of York III beat Chapeltown II 2-1, also in division one.

The visitors went ahead early on, but York’s greater possession yielded a Peter Fitton leveller.

City toiled in the second half, especially after having a man yellow-carded, but they battled on manfully and, ten minutes from time, Fitton filched a winner.

City of York IV shared the division three spoils at Doncaster IV, where all six goals were scored at short corners.

After Tim Lister opened City’s account five minutes into the game, Doncaster levelled in kind before adding another two for a 3-1 half-time advantage.

York rallied in the final 15 minutes, Luke Doran and Greg Sykes on target. York ’keeper Dave Heaton was in superb form to ensure parity.

City of York V shaded club-mates and home side City of York VII by the odd goal in seven in division five north.

Peter Fitton and Aaron Solanki put them 2-0 up at half-time followed by second-half strikes from Ben Foster and Steve Archer.

But with ten minutes to go the City VII replied through Joe Sumpner, and then when the V ranks went down to ten men, added two more from Sumpner and Dennis Hooton for a nervy finish.

In the same division, City of York VI blasted visitors Huddersfield Dragons IV 5-1 with first-half goals from Rory Ainslie, Mark Moisley, a penalty, and Ed Marsden followed by another from Marsden and a goal from skipper Neil Reader before a late Dragons consolation.

City of York VIII lost 4-1 at Huddersfield Dragons V in division six north, but the margin of victory flattered the hosts.

Trailing 2-0 at half-time, York conceded another goal soon into the second half, but Richard Tanner-Smith’s short corner reply gave the visitors hope before a late hit from the home skipper.

City of York IX were awarded the division seven north points after visitors Airedale II could not raise a team.

City of York Badgers prised a terrific 4-3 win at Slazengers despite fielding their youngest side since the development league began three years ago.

Slazengers scored first, but Theo Ainslie levelled ahead of an astute passing move being finished off by Harry Heyes for a 2-1 interval lead.

Slazengers equalised shortly into the second half but goals by Jack Feasby and Ainslie made the game safe despite a late third from the hosts.

There was a sound midfield display by Andrew Abell on his debut.