YORK City Ladies stayed fifth in the North East Regional premier division after their first share-all of term - a 0-0 draw with visitors Oughtibridge War Memorial Ladies at Nestle Rowntree Park.

The South Yorkshire side had a player sent of midway through the second half for dissent after a goal was ruled out but they proved a strong set-up and held out for a point.

City handed a debut to Sophie Whiting with fellow newcomer Jess Cooke on the bench, while skipper Sara Renfrew returned after injury and Samantha Knight was back in goal, keeping her first clean sheet of term.

However, Ruth Brazier, Ellie Regan, Zoe Doherty, Martha Ohr and Kaitlyn Doncaster were all unavailable.

Sophie Simpson also departed after half an hour with a hamstring injury, to be replaced by Cooke, who did well along with fellow new recruit Whiting.

The game was a contest of few opportunities. The visitors thought they had scored from a corner midway through the second period, but the referee adjudged the ball had not crossed the line.

One player contested the decision too strongly and was dismissed for foul and abusive language.

But that only appeared to make the South Yorkshire side even more determined as they worked hard at getting players behind the ball, keeping clear-cut chances to a premium.

Midfielder Nikki Brown was City's player of the match.