YORK City Ladies are still awaiting their first points of the North East Regional Premier League season following a 5-2 home defeat to newcomers Hartlepool United at Haxby Road.

Former Leeds striker Ellie Regan gave City the lead with her second goal in three games, but that was cancelled out as the visitors replied twice.

Defender Gemma Croft – who already scored for City's reserves against the same opponents last term – headed her colleagues back onto level terms.

But Hartlepool then struck three times in succession to record their first league win of the campaign, and make it five straight defeats for the home side.

Sarah Rowbotham (2), Nicola Duckling, Caitlin Bates, with a penalty, and Justine Robinson were each on target for the visitors.

The Minsterbelles had welcomed back goalkeeper Leigh Bamford, who had missed their narrow defeat at Wallsend Boys Club Ladies, but were still without a number of key players, including summer recruits Chloe Precious, Jazz Whitwell and Laura Midgley, plus midfield regulars Nikki Brown and Beth Clayton.

Skipper Kayleigh Davis was named their player of the game.