City of York Hockey Club first team's disappointing North Hockey League premier division season continued with a 3-0 defeat at Brooklands Manchester University II.

Even the restoration of Ollie Couttie, who is back in York after travelling overseas, to the starting line-up could not bring an upturn in their fortunes.

Ashley Watson made some fine saves to ensure the game reached half-time goalless, while Matt Couttie and James Gilbert worked tirelessly in defence and midfield respectively.

But 20 minutes from the end, frustrated York fell apart as Brooklands score twice in quick succession and added a third after York were reduced to nine men because of dissent.

City of York II shared six goals with LA Metros in NHL division one east after trailing 2-0 to their West Yorkshire visitors.

The fightback began when Roz Ramli and Alex Cockram opened up the Metros' defence for Danny Turton to score a fine goal.

Nick Carter got the equaliser with a neat flick from a short corner but after York missed a couple of chances Metros regained the lead.

York nonetheless grabbed a draw when Cockram produced a piece of magic and his cross picked out Cook, who scored the equaliser at the far post.

City of York III also drew with LA Metros II in Yorkshire League division one.

John Pierce converted a superb Peter Perryman cross to put York ahead but Metros overhauled them in the second period to lead 2-1.

York levelled through Matt Todd from a short corner but needed some fine stops from goalkeeper Matt Barker to preserve a point from a 2-2 draw.

It was also honours even as City of York IV and Leeds III slugged out a 4-4 thriller in division three.

York looked down and out as they trailed 3-0 at the interval but they produced a stunning turnaround to ram in goals by Mark Dransfield, Andy Wilson (2) and Mark Smith to lead 4-3. A stunning victory was in sight when, with 30 seconds remaining, Leeds snatched a dramatic equaliser.

If City of York V win their last three games they will claim the division five title.

They put themselves into pole position by winning 2-1 at Leeds IV with goals from Richard Tanner-Smith and skipper Greg Sykes after trailing early on.

St John's thumped a below-par City of York VI 6-2 in division six with the York goals coming from Ben Foster and Dan Blackburn.

City of York VII claimed all three points as Bradford University I were unable to fulfil their division eight fixture.

Ed Penfold scored struggling City of York's VIII's goal in their 7-1 defeat at division ten leaders Leeds VII.

Goals by Will Ellis and Neil Hollies gave City of York IX a 2-1 friendly victory over St Peter's Under-16 'B'.

Updated: 10:58 Tuesday, March 14, 2006