HOLDERS Marcia still have the York FA Sunday Morning Senior Cup in their grip, but not before a third round scare against hosts Nestl Flag.

A Kieran O'Brien shot from out wide eluded the home defence for the opening goal before Andrew Green finished off a well-worked move for the second goal.

But the Flag ranks countered strongly and when Chris Dyson halved the arrears Marcia had to hang on before seeing off the Nestl ranks 2-1.

Ainsty Panthers toppled Thorpe United 1-0 thanks to a header from David Hyde, but they were also indebted to goalkeeper Paul Drake for a series of fine stops.

Derby honours went the way of Selby Hounds, who beat Selby Olympia 4-1. Graham Mitchell, Danny Crowther, Richard Gladwell and Peter Collier shared the Hounds' booty.

F1 Racing were taxed to the limit as they surrendered a 2-0 lead to lose 4-3 to Inland Revenue in the dying exchanges of their York FA Sunday Morning Junior Cup tie.

Mark Grewer's brace put F1 on the right road only for Ben Ambler and Robin Ellis to draw level. Andy Simpson fired Inland Revenue ahead before Grewer completed his hat-trick. But as extra time loomed Mark Lund struck a Revenue winner.

Skelton displayed admirable steel to oust hosts Gypsy Moth by the odd goal in five.

Neil Holmes put Skelton ahead only for the hosts to counter with goals from Daniel Oxtoby and Matthew Cooper. Skelton's plight worsened when 'keeper Scott Birkley was sent off, but with five minutes to go Richard Wells levelled to take the tie into extra time. Stilgoe snatched a winner in the dying seconds of the extra period.

Student power was to the fore in the York FA Sunday Afternoon Cup.

St John's College rattled in four goals in the last 15 minutes to down White Swan Bubwith, Euan Campbell netting a hat-trick.

College of Law also proved too powerful for Clifton Rangers winning 5-1 with Bryan Faulkner (3), Craig Bowes and Bhargav Trivedi on target.

Table-topping AFC Huntington were dealt a blow when they came back from two goals down to Melbourne at half-time only to then succumb to a Tim Fennell winner eight minutes from time.

In the only York FA Senior Minor Cup tie, ten-man Ulleskelf battled bravely but perished 4-0 to Pickering Town, whose goals were shared between Phil Warnett (3) and Robert Stead.

Updated: 11:23 Friday, December 03, 2004