CITY of York Hockey Club Ladies I remain eighth in North Women’s League division one after losing a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 at rivals Harrogate.

The visitors took the advantage into the break thanks to a Hannah Smith brace and Ali Couttie strike but the third-placed hosts took control in the second half and rescued a point.

Both sides started strongly but Harrogate notched a quick goal from a swift break.

York were level very quickly through Smith’s reverse hit and, as Harrogate struggled to seize the contest, City continued to pressure their defence.

And it brought reward as City got two more goals in quick succession, first from another Smith reverse hit and an expert Couttie deflection from a short corner.

But Harrogate wrestled their way back into the game at the beginning of the second half, catching York off-guard and netting a pair of goals to snatch a point.

City travel to seventh-placed Chester next week looking for their second win of term. Chester started term strongly with two wins but have since lost three and drawn one of the subsequent four.

Division one leaders City of York Ladies II enjoyed a dramatic comeback win, beating Driffield 2-1.

The third-placed visitors opened the scoring but City quickly made it 1-1, with Vicky Skilton on target.

City stepped up their passing game in the hotly-contested second half, when the hosts made the breakthrough as Lily Dowdy scored to give City the upper hand.

The hosts saw out a tense final 20 minutes.

Next week, City host second-placed Leeds III in a top-of-the-table crunch match between two unbeaten sides.