YORK & District Schoolboys Under-12s started their new year superbly as a last-gasp strike gave them a 2-1 win over table-toppers Sheffield 'A' in their regional schoolboys league.

Alex Widdup and Seb Holowkiewicz were on target for York, who put in one of their best performances of the season as they fought back from a goal down to end Sheffield's unbeaten record.

The strong Steel City side could count themselves unlucky to lose the entertaining game but York produced a mature and energetic performance.

Hosts York started brightly and had the Sheffield back line under early pressure. An Arthur Jefferson-Hallett effort from outside the area struck the crossbar and was gratefully collected by the keeper.

But the York defence were caught out by his quick ball out, leaving Sheffield through on goal. Keeper Jack Yates pulled off a good save, only for the ball to run loose and be tapped into the empty net.

York kept their heads up and had chances through Jefferson-Hallet and James Rennocks. Sheffield were playing some tidy, composed football and had a good percentage of possession but York maintained a solid shape and did well to limit their shooting opportunities.

Jacob Bryant - on for Yates in the second period - made an important save from a smart turn and shot in the area while, at the other end, Rennocks fired just wide from Widdup's lay-off.

Widdup then restored parity in the end-to-end game, turning home after Joseph Meek beat the full-back down the right and fired in a cross.

Sheffield responded and had some good chances go begging as they applied pressure while the hosts attacked on the counter.

With minutes remaining, Bryant saved superbly from a long-range Sheffield strike as York rode their luck, with another effort squirming wide and one hitting the foot of a post.

The cleared rebound found Browne on the half-way line and he showed skill to burst through on goal and slot under the keeper - only to see the ball roll agonisingly wide.

In the dying seconds of the game, one final York attack yielded reward when Meek broke down the right, beat his man and pulled back for Holowkiewicz to strike low into the net.

Ben Armitage was York's man of the match.