RELEGATED City of York I ended their season with their heads held high after giving Northern Counties Hockey League premier division champions Bowden a scare.

Despite travelling with a bare squad of 11 players and missing several regulars, York grabbed a surprise lead through James Gilbert.

With former Great Britain player Justin Pitcock at the heart of Bowden's midfield, York did well to lessen his influence thanks to the efforts of Karim Ramli and Mark Moisley.

Bowden equalised before York edged ahead through Gilbert again but before York could settle they found themselves 4-2 down at half-time.

Slick inter-passing by Kyle Hogg and Glyn Humphrey opened the way for Gilbert to complete his hat-trick and reduced Bowden's advantage to one goal.

When a Bowden player was yellow-carded, York thought they were in with a chance to get back but a quickly taken free-shot restored the home side's two-goal advantage.

York pressed for an equaliser but as the match entered the last quarter they ran out of steam and, with no substitutes to call on, York conceded two more in the last five minutes to lose 7-3.

Leeds University I arrived so late that they were in danger of conceding the North East Two league points to City of York II.

York were on edge in the opening stages and went into the interval a goal behind.

John McRory then deflected in a shot to equalise and York seemed to take control of the game but were denied a penalty after a stick infringement as a York player was about to shoot.

Then a York player was green-carded for a dangerous infringement and the students rattled in a couple of good goals.

York were unable to convert any of their short corners and Leeds University sealed a 4-1 win with another goal which was rough justice for York goalkeeper Simon Burnett, who was outstanding.

City of York III had a nightmare Yorkshire League division four game as they crashed 3-0 at Huddersfield II, despite spending most of the game in their opponents' 25-yard area.

Huddersfield put nine men behind the ball but hit York on the break, two of their goals coming in the last five minutes.

A second-half goal gave Chapletown a 1-0 victory against City of York IV in division five.

There was better news for City of York V who virtually sealed promotion to division six with a 2-0 win at one of their promotion rivals, Slazengers III.

James Owen gave York an early lead but it needed a great save from a penalty flick by youngster Ashley Watson to preserve York's lead.

Owen snapped up his second gaol and despite intense Slazengers' pressure, including five short corners, York hung on to a priceless victory.

City of York VI met a much-strengthened Hull University II, who were bottom of division seven and went down 4-0.

The students beefed up their side in an effort to avoid relegation - a familiar scenario at this stage of the season.

Nick Fitton was named as York's man-of-the-match after a sterling effort as sweeper.

Chris Armstrong shone for York VII in their 4-0 defeat at the hands of Bradford University III.

City of York VIII fought back from 2-0 and 3-1 down to draw 3-3 with Grimsby II - a point which robbed Grimsby of promotion.

York were 2-0 down after ten minutes but Paddy Johnson pulled one back and two goals by David Monck gave York a share of the spoils, the equaliser coming two minutes from the end.

In the Yorkshire youth league, City of York Girls Under-16s beat Almondbury 1-0 (Rhian Jones), drew 0-0 with Sheffield Bankers and had a walkover against Slazengers.

The York Boys Under-10s didn't fare as well, losing 1-0 to both Ben Rhydding and Harrogate and 3-2 to Driffield (Sam Arksey and Heather Stafford).

Updated: 12:50 Tuesday, March 27, 2001