THE York Minster Engineering League representative team lost their grip on the Ernie Fairclough Memorial Trophy as they fell 1-0 to their Yorkshire Amateur League counterparts at Pocklington.

YMEL were the better team in the first half but without creating many clearcut chances, and YAL exerted themselves after the break to win it through a Graham Shaw goal 12 minutes from time.

York began as they had left off in their victory over the Humberside League a month ago, with neat and tidy moves.

An early move involving Cam Sanderson and John Andrews overlapping from right-back saw the latter's cross find Marcus Godsell, but his shot from the edge of the box was easily saved.

The YMEL side continued to keep possession but without creating too many openings, with YAL twice threatening after York moves broke down in midfield.

The first saw a long ball from Craig Farrend give Luke Gordon a chance, Matty Pallister making a good tackle just inside the area.

Then a long ball from Dominic Finn sent Lewis Surtees away but a combination of Pallister and Jake Moyes foiled the raid.

YAL otherwise were struggling to gain possession and, after 22 minutes, York should have taken the lead, when a YAL back pass was closed down by Chris Bilton.

The ball broke to Godsell with the goal at his mercy, but he fired his over.

This let-off spurred on YAL, and Pallister, Josh Luckhurst and Moyes had to work hard to stem the flow.

The visitors could have scored when a cross-field pass from Moyes was intercepted, but the low shot was brilliantly saved by Mike Clancy.

The game became more even but York's defence coped well, YAL restricted to long-range efforts.

Meanwhile, Luckhurst picked up loose balls and fed the midfield of Sanderson and Scott Nicholas who were combining well to set up attacks.

The excellent Sanderson, though, departed injured before half-time.

York still have a fine chance as they mounted sustained pressure, Godsell firing a cross into the box with Moyes shooting over from 12 yards in the resulting scramble.

YAL were a different proposition in the second half, with Shaw beginning to exert himself.

Tom McKenna had a header from a free kick saved by Clancy, who soon pulled off the save of the match from a Shaw free kick, tipping the ball onto the bar and away for a corner.

In between times at the other end, an offside flag denied Godsell after Luckhurst had headed Bilton's free kick his way.

Clancy made two more smart saves and Luckhurst thwarted James Cadwick in the box as YAL took charge.

The tireless Nicholas, York's man of the match, and Terry Taylor, in trying to drag York back into the game, created a chance for Matty Mulhearn but the keeper reacted sharply. Crossing opportunities were also wasted.

It was no surprise when Shaw broke the deadlock after 78 minutes.

He gained possession on the left angle of the box, beat Luckhurst and shot beyond the advancing Clancy into the far corner.

YAL could have gone two up but Mal Robinson's header was cleared off the line by Luckhurst.

York mounted some pressure in the closing minutes but it wasn't to be.

York squad: Mike Clancy, Josh Luckhurst, Terry Taylor, Jamie Green (all Wigginton), Matty Pallister, Jake Moyes (both Copmanthorpe), Cam Sanderson, Matty Mulhearn, Sam Drake (all Dringhouses), Marcus Godsell, Scott Nicholas (both Old Malton St Mary's), Chris Bilton (Osbaldwick), John Andrews (Dunnington), Ben Yorke (Riccall).