CITY of York were condemned to yet another defeat in the North Hockey Men’s League Premier Division but deserved better against high-flying opponents Whitley Bay and Tynemouth.

Although the 2-1 home loss means COY are nine points adrift at the bottom of the table, they were unlucky not to salvage a draw.

Heads dropped when the visitors took a two-goal lead but COY produced a spirited second-half display and played some of their best hockey this season.

Jack Fletcher’s goal put his side back in the game but further opportunities were spurned by Dan Elwood, Anthony Bull and Alex Cockram.

With eight games of the season to play, COY now have a mountain to climb if they are to avoid finishing bottom of the pile.

Things are not going much better for the club’s second string in the Yorkshire Men’s Hockey League Premier Division.

A narrow 2-1 defeat at Leeds III leaves York II five points adrift of safety at the bottom of the table.

Again, it was a case of chances not taken – and COY also surrendered the advantage after taking the lead through Patrick Herriott.

Leeds equalised with a scrappy goal but then had their goalkeeper sent off for a foul.

Tim Lister failed to score from the subsequent flick and Leeds proceeded to go ahead before the interval despite having no goalkeeper.

York III are heading in the right direction after back-to-back wins in Division One.

Having produced an excellent performance to beat Halifax two weeks previously, they returned to action with a 4-2 victory over Sheffield Hallam IV at Huntington School.

Jonathan Kilmartin found the corner of the net and the lead was extended by Ben Foster. Dan Hyden made it 3-0 and captain Chris Dutton added the fourth before Sheffield pulled two goals back.

York IV suffered a 5-1 defeat against Tadcaster Magnets I in Division Two.

The result means York IV are being dragged into a scrap for survival with Acomb I and York V, who performed disappointingly in a 4-0 loss at home to Wakefield III.

York VI could only manage a 3-3 draw against bottom of the table Bingley Bees in Division Four North.

It might have been even worse, after Bingley led 2-0, but a hat-trick of short corners from Tony Brimble got the team back on level terms. The equaliser was scored with the last touch of the game.

York VII are chasing the title in Division Five North and secured a ninth consecutive victory against Airedale II, who they have now leap-frogged into second place.

Rob Bradley-Consitt opened the scoring, followed by strikes from Cameron Mackay and Mikey Jacobson. Airedale pulled a goal back but the score finished 3-1 to York.

York VIII, the development side, are also in the top four but slipped up when losing 4-2 at Leeds VIII.

Ali Birch opened the scoring but Leeds reorganised after the break and cruised into a 3-1 lead.

Peter Perryman made it 3-2 from a short-corner slip but Leeds scored again from a deflected shot and York’s under-strength and injury-hit side ran out of gas.

York IX returned to action after a five-week break and lost 6-5 in a thriller at Driffield III.

Pat Birch (2), Alex Triffitt, Matthew Bedford and Keith Hunter were the players on target.

York X, the Badgers development side, maintained their unbeaten start to 2017 with a comfortable 2-0 win over table-topping Thirsk, Luke Harbord scoring both goals.