SUMMIT strength was lost for York City Ladies FC after a 3-2 defeat in the North East Women's Regional Football League to hosts Guiseley.

Victory for York would have kept them top of the table, but despite a fine performance, a succession of missed chances proved costly.

York attacked straight from the off and within minutes were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box with Sara Renfrew's shot just going over the bar.

Guiseley pressed with a spell of possession, utilising the long ball over the top but the York defence managed to get bodies behind the ball and hold them up.

Sloppy defending by Guiseley led to a visitors' raid in which a sweetly struck-strike by Nikki Brown went close.

The deadlock was broken after a Guiseley counter-attack down the right saw a low cross turned past goalkeeper Precious by a home forward at the near post .

York continued to press, producing the more fluent football. They should have been awarded a penalty late in the half after Lauren Shuttleworth was fouled in the box.

But a foul was not awarded and soon after Guiseley made it 2-0 with a long distance shot that flew into the top corner.

York started the second half in the same way they had controlled the first 45 minutes, neat football in the middle of the park graced by player of the match Brown and Beth Clayton.

The hard work paid off soon after the restart with Brown winning yet another tackle before laying off a pass to striker Shuttleworth who set up Ali Smith to hammer home.

York now had the bit between their teeth and were awarded a penalty soon after with another good run from Lisa Bjornstad which saw her fouled in the box. After dusting herself down Bjornstad stepped forward to rifle home and restore parity.

York continued to press but a lack of composure in front of goal was the only thing to prevent them going ahead for the first time.

With York pushed for a winner Guiseley caught them on the break and clinched a late winner for a forlorn finish to a steady performance.