York City U19s fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of National League U19 Alliance North leaders Gateshead on Wednesday.
Harry Clarkson and Jaden Ncue both made the step up from the York College Development Centre and took a spot on the bench for this game.
City had a good chance inside the opening minute as Josh Binns flashed a shot narrowly wide of the far post.
A Gateshead man burst through on goal soon after, but he could only skew his effort high and wide.
In the 18th minute, the home side got themselves in front following a short corner, scrambling the ball home from close range.
A Heed defender went for the ambitious strike later, but it was always rising well over the bar.
The Minstermen tested the ‘keeper in the 34th minute, with Lewis Beadle rifling a low effort from distance which had to be kept out with a diving stop.
Shortly before half-time, City were awarded a spot-kick after Tom Hewson was brought down by the goalkeeper.
Ethan Stiver impressively powered his penalty into the top corner to level the proceedings.
In the second half, substitute Ben Farrar came close to turning the game around, but his goalbound shot from a tight angle was cleared off the line.
Gateshead retook the lead in the 58th minute, passing their way through the York defence before the eventual shot beat Cam White.
They missed the chance for a third, with a header flying wide of the mark.
Farrar and Hewson both had one-on-one opportunities for City, but the ‘keeper stayed resilient to keep out both of them.
The Heed shot-stopper was also forced into a great save late on, getting a strong hand to a header from a corner to keep the points in the North East.
York City: White, Newall (Ncue 77′), Beadle, Belleh (C), Baker (Farrar 46′), Russell, Kydd, Stiver (Clarkson 84′), Hewson, Greening (Hall 77′), Binns.
Sub not used: Zubrickas.
