WIGAN peers proved too much for York City Ladies Football team, who suffered Women's FA Cup woe.

The York ranks lost 4-1 at Wigan, where the visitors' 3-5-2 formation failed to bring any dividends in a first half in which they trailed 2-0.

York manager Steve Thornton opted to revert to the side's more customary 4-4-2 line-up but before that could kick in a Wigan player set off on a sinuous solo run that led to the third goal.

Tina Reeve struck what looked to have been a legitimate goal to reduce the arrears but her effort was ruled out for a foul on the Wigan goalkeeper.

Soon after, the hosts struck for a fourth time, but York refused to buckle and in sweltering heat the stern defending of Sara Renfrew and Helen Barratt was rewarded with a great goal from Jenny Garnett, who landed a further consolation when she was voted the players' player of the match.

York will strive to ease their knockout anguish when they play their league opener away to Barnsley on Sunday, kick-off 2pm.

Updated: 10:39 Wednesday, September 08, 2004