YORK CITY Ladies lost 3-2 in a top of the table clash with Brighouse in the North East Regional Women’s Football League.

The Minsterbelles got off to a good start but a goal eight minutes from time saw the visitors leave with the points - and inflict the second defeat of the season on York.

They had never played against Brighouse before but knew, given their opponents were joint top of the table and had not lost a game, that they were in for a tough encounter against a side that had scored 21 goals the previous week in the cup.

York still got off to a strong start and took the lead after three minutes when Katie Duckworth headed home Ashleigh Brack’s superb cross from the left wing. Boosted by the early goal, the home side continued to press and Brighouse were clearly rattled.

York were struck a blow, though, on 26 minutes when centre-back Ruth Brazier, who had been strong in defence, was injured and had to be taken to hospital. Helen Dalby replaced her.

The loss unsettled York and Brighouse were only denied a quick equaliser by a great save from keeper Chloe Precious. York then rallied and took a two-goal lead when Duckworth was brought down in the penalty area.

Brack stepped up and found the target on 32 minutes.

Their cushion was short lived. An alleged handball, barely two minutes later, saw Brighouse get their own penalty. It was dispatched and they were only 2-1 down at the break.

Lauren Shuttleworth replaced Beth Clayton as the second period got under way and, while York continued to battle hard, Brighouse turned up the heat. The pressure finally told on 65 minutes when the visitors equalised.

The game continued to flow from end to end and either side could have taken the lead. Unfortunately, with time starting to run out, Brighouse forged in front. York tried to find the equaliser but to no avail and Brighouse’s victory kept them at the top of the table with Barnsley, who have played a game more.

York slipped to fourth but remain just three points off the summit.

The City Ladies Reserves returned to North Riding Women’s League premier division action with a 4-1 victory at home to Poppleton.

Striker Jade Harrison and winger Margot Widdup failed to take early chances as full-backs Laura Porritt and Kira Robinson frequently pushed forward.

Poppleton took the lead after 30 minutes following a mistake by City’s defence, but the home side levelled on 40 minutes with a great strike from left-back and player of the game Porritt.

The second half started with City full of fire, with Hollie Smith causing no end of problems down the left. Within five minutes of the restart Smith broke down the wing and fizzed a low ball across the six-yard box, where pressure from Jade Harrison caused a Poppleton defender to put the ball into her own net.

Straight from the restart, City won the ball back and sent Smith on a mazy run and her shot found the bottom corner.

City kept up the pressure right until the end, reducing Poppleton to shots from distance, none of which troubled City keeper Sam Knight.

The points were wrapped up when Ellie Randall scored her first goal of the season.

The win moved City up to second in the premier division table, five points behind leaders Guisborough with two games in hand.