City of York Ladies gained valuable points in their struggle against relegation from division one of the North League with a surprise 3-2 win at promotion-chasing Chester.

York took the lead on 12 minutes when Paula Clough's shot rebounded to Lorraine Pearey who placed the ball high into the net.

Playing well to their close-marking game plan, York frustrated Chester for the remainder of the first-half and then scored again soon after the break, Karen Howells finding the net with a deflected shot from Hannah Rockliff's right wing centre.

Chester pulled a goal back from a penalty corner but York regained their two-goal cushion when Sarah Lawrence's pass found Sally Sleightholme perfectly placed to score from close range.

Although Chester scored again late on, York were untroubled in the closing minutes, completing a league double over the high-flying home side.

York's good form continued in the first half of Sunday's Yorkshire Cup semi-final at Doncaster when they took an early lead against their National League opponents, Sarah Harrison scoring with a reverse-stick shot after a penalty corner.

Despite Doncaster pressure, a series of saves from 'keeper Sarah Massen helped York to hold on to the lead until ten minutes into the second-half, when a relieved Doncaster equalised from a penalty corner. They then added two more goals from well-rehearsed corner routines and another from open play to run out 4-1 winners.

In division two of the Yorkshire League, York II ended the season's fixtures, coming back from a goal down to win 2-1 at Leeds University, with goals from Anne Harrison and Sue Draper, to leave York in a mid-table position.

Acomb Ladies struggled to contain a strong York St John's side who ran out 3-0 winners.

Updated: 12:55 Tuesday, March 27, 2001