SUBSTITUTE Elliot Heath was the hat-trick hero as York Under-11s schoolboy footballers recorded their second league victory in two weeks with a tense 3-2 home win against Derby at York University.

It was Derby, despite their long journey, who started the better with a combination of neat passing and a direct approach which seemed to catch the York boys asleep.

The visitors duly went 1-0 ahead just before half-time with a powerful long-range effort.

York seemed a different team in the second period and the introduction of striker Heath proved pivotal as he first grabbed an equaliser after great work from Harry Tinker down the right.

The hosts began pressing with more intensity and it paid off when Heath headed in a fine second after a great cross from Joe Watt with 12 minutes remaining.

Sterling defensive work from Will Hollings and Isaac Meehan thwarted Derby’s attempts to strike back, and, as the game was drifting to a close, up popped Heath to tap in his third after good work by Joe Stamp.

York looked home and dry but, as the clock ticked into stoppage time, Derby snatched a reply, leaving the home team having to hang on in a frantic last two minutes.