York City 1, Bury 1

The ex-Irish Under-21 international's 24th-minute goal - his third of a season decimated by shin splints - proved the catalyst for a much-improved Minstermen display and it is to be hoped that his effort will also prove a pivotal moment in the fight to preserve the club's proud 75-year Football League status.

Having waited more than a month to cheer a goal, City fans greeted George's equaliser with a mixture of shock and relief but that was soon replaced by new-found belief as the home team put together some slick passing movements and, most encouragingly, created several scoring opportunities.

George's goal appeared to give both himself and his side a vital injection of confidence and, although the 25-year-old striker last started a game in the corresponding fixture at Bury's Gigg Lane last September, if he can maintain the standards he set last night then he could play a crucial part in City's last five games.

His team-mates must also prove that the performance is not another false dawn in the club's relegation battle, following previous well-earned points against promotion-chasing pair Oxford and Torquay.

Stubborn defensive work was the key to getting results in both of those matches whereas, against Bury, Chris Brass' men finally suggested they can carry a sufficient attacking threat to get the goals that will clinch the victories needed to lift the Minstermen clear of danger.

On-loan striker Jon Newby, like George, enjoyed his best game in a City shirt against his former club.

His pace was a constant concern for the visitors' defence and was responsible for creating George's chance.

On the flanks, fit-again captain Darren Edmondson provided a regular outlet, reminding City supporters of his forward force when he plays as an advanced wing-back.

Brass will also be encouraged by the fact that his side - for the first time during the club's 15-match run without a victory and for only the third time all season - came back to earn a point after falling behind.

Early on, the match had followed an all too familiar and depressing pattern.

City failed to create a chance in the first 24 minutes while Bury managed three goal attempts before taking a 16th-minute lead.

Defensive uncertainty also characterised the opening stages with Richard Hope appearing particularly vulnerable but he would later recover his composure to make several crucial blocks and tackles.

Mark Ovendale was called into action after just 24 seconds when he saved from Terry Dunfield and made another stop from Gareth Seddon on five minutes.

Seddon then volleyed over from 25 yards before opening the scoring when he ran unchallenged into the home penalty box and fired home a low shot.

But, unlike recent home dbacles City refused to buckle and George levelled eight minutes later.

Newby sped to the byline before pulling the ball back for George who, despite not making the cleanest of contacts, beat Bury goalkeeper Glyn Garner with a low shot into his bottom left-hand corner from ten yards.

George was then at the heart of all City's best attacking moments before tiring midway through the second half.

The former Luton forward cleverly diverted Newby's pass into Lee Nogan's path with the back of his heel on 31 minutes but the assistant manager's shot was saved.

George also set up Nogan for a drive that Garner parried before Danny Swailes scrambled the ball to safety.

Two minutes after the break, a cross-cum-shot from George sailed narrowly over the bar before he teed up Edmondson, who let fly with an excellent curling left-footed shot that was destined for the top corner before Garner's finger-tips prevented a second home goal.

Garner then saved George's shot on the turn from close range after Brass, playing in midfield again, had met Darren Dunning's corner with his head.

A Hope header and Brass' 20-yard drive tested Garner before George perhaps opted for the wrong decision, attempting to dribble past Bury's last man rather than shooting after racing on to Edmondson's through ball.

Edmondson fired into the side-netting after Nogan's perfectly-flighted pass before Bury created three chances on the counter-attack as City adjusted to losing Stuart Wise through injury with Brass moving back to defence and Mitch Ward coming on.

Hope made vital interventions to block goalbound efforts from David Nugent and Simon Whaley, while, in between, Ovendale smothered Harpal Singh's shot.

It was City though who went closest to gaining maximum points in the closing exchanges with Dunning, playing as a left wing-back, stinging Garner's hands from 25 yards. He also joined Edmondson, Leigh Wood and Nogan in having shots blocked in a frantic 83rd-minute scramble.

Match Facts:

Nationwide League Division 3

Tuesday, April 13, 2004

at Bootham Crescent

York City 1

(George 24 min)

Bury 1

(Seddon 16 min)

City ratings:

Ovendale 7

Wise 7 (Ward 70min, 7)

Smith 7

Hope 7

Edmondson 8

Brass 7

Wood 7

Dunning 7

Nogan 7

Newby 8

George 8

Subs not used: Porter, Law, Bell, Cooper

Star Man: George - lifted team with his goal and was always a willing receiver of and fighter for the ball.

Key: 10 Faultless, 9 Outstanding, 8 Excellent, 7 Eye-catching, 6 Good, 5 Average, 4 Below-par, 3 Dud, 2 Hopeless, 1 Retire

Bury: Glyn Garner, Colin Woodthorpe, Danny Swailes, Jon Cartledge (Simon Whaley, 53), Matty Barrass, Dave Flitcroft, Terry Dunfield, Harpal Singh (Paul O'Shaughnessy, 85), David Nugent, Gareth Seddon (Chris Porter, 33). Subs not used: Lee Duxbury, Lewis Solly.

Yellow cards: Nugent 90min.

Red cards: None.

Referee: Paul Robinson (East Yorkshire) Rating: kept his book in his pocket until last minute and was generally in quiet control.

Attendance: 3,111.

Weather watch: Mild evening.

Game breaker: George's goal gave City confidence to press for victory. City fans will be hoping it provides the confidence to save the club from relegation.

Match rating: The most entertaining City display for months. A 100 per cent improvement on Cambridge, Macclesfield and Bristol Rovers.

Player watch: Liam George

Attempts on target: 2

Attempts off target: 1

Goals: 1

Passes to own player: 26

Passes to opposition: 13

Crosses to own player: 2

Crosses to opposition: 4

Pass success rate: 62.2 per cent

Dribbles ball lost: 3

Dribbles ball retained: 8

Free-kicks won: 2

Free-kicks conceded: 1

Offsides: 1 Headers: 13 Tackles: 6

Clearances, blocks and interceptions: 1

Bookings: 0

Final summary: Liam George can be pleased with every aspect of his game despite understandably tiring and being less prominent in the final stages after his long lay-off. Until then, George was heavily involved and had as many shots as whole team managed at Cambridge while also setting up as many for team-mates. The number of passes and crosses attempted by George are both encouragingly high and his willingness to take a player on is illustrated by 11 dribbles. He will also always win more free kicks than he concedes and the amount of headers (13) and tackles (six) he made were pleasing contributions as well.

Updated: 10:04 Wednesday, April 14, 2004