York City 0, Torquay Utd 0

The result might have extended the Minstermen's run without a victory to 11 matches but Saturday's performance will have given concerned supporters more cause for optimism after the team's disturbing tumble down the Division Three table in recent weeks.

Chris Brass' men showed a steely resilience at the back that has been missing since their manager's enforced absence and also carried a greater goal threat, especially in the first half.

The City player-boss employed a new 3-4-3 formation and was rewarded for his adventurous approach with a much-improved display.

On-loan striker Richard Offiong, non-contract signing Andy Bell and goalkeeper Chris Porter were all handed their full debuts, while the return of Richard Hope and Chris Smith recall saw a total of five changes from the side that capitualted so alarmingly against Scunthorpe in midweek.

The new faces were necessary and helped City to eliminate the negativity of Tuesday night's match and approach this game with less trepidation.

Bell and Offiong's willingness to receive the ball gave City constant attacking options and Richard Cooper and Darren Dunning provided a strong midfield axis, scrapping for every ball and feeding the front men at every opportunity.

City's defence, marshalled by the talkative Porter, also learned from recent mistakes with Smith, Hope and Stuart Wise showing higher levels of concentration, taking few chances and clearing, tackling and blocking with purpose.

Just as importantly, City returned to an attractive style of football with the team's ball retention vastly improved.

Mark Ovendale can perhaps consider himself unfortunate to be relegated to the bench after a largely impressive season but Porter emerged from his shadow to perform well and Brass now knows he has strong competition between the sticks.

Porter made one vital save to prevent Joe Broad from scoring although arguably the Torquay midfielder should have done better when put clear through by the impressive David Graham.

Both sides also hit the woodwork with Bell crashing a brave header against the crossbar and a draw was a fair result.

City shaded the first half and almost opened the scoring on seven minutes when Hope's header from a Dunning free-kick was spilled by Kevin Dearden and Torquay's defence scrambled away the loose ball with Lee Nogan waiting to pounce.

Gulls' midfielder Kevin Hill was then fortunate not to concede a penalty when his flailing hand made contact with the ball but referee Mark Warren ruled that the infringement had happened six inches outside the box rather than inside it.

Dearden did well to hold on to Nogan's low deflected drive from the resulting free-kick and then watched as an ambitious 25-yard effort from the confident Bell sailed over his crossbar.

Nogan hooked the ball over from ten yards after Hope had again won the ball in the air on 28 minutes.

At the other end, Porter was rarely troubled before the break although Graham did head wide in the second minute and Jo Kuffour sidefooted wide at the far post after Porter suffered his only moment of uncertainty, misjudging an inswinging Broad corner.

Torquay improved after the break and were marginally the better side in the second half with Graham showing his class on a number of occasions.

An excellent run by the Scottish striker on 48 minutes attracted three City defenders before he released the ball to an unmarked Broad, who shot wastefully at Porter.

Bell then threw himself bravely at Nogan's cross to rattle Torquay's bar with a powerful header.

Matthew Hockley drove wide from 30 yards on 65 minutes and Offiong was then replaced by Lev Yalcin for City.

The 20-year-old Newcastle striker had made a promising debut despite making the odd wrong decision that is expected from any youngster and showed that if he uses his ability in the right areas of the pitch he could be a dangerous and exciting acquisition.

Torquay continued to carve out the better opportunities after Offiong's departure with Graham volleying over from 12 yards and Hill sidefooting narrowly wide from Broad's 85th-minute corner.

City then enjoyed a welcome slice of luck two minutes later when substitute Martin Gritton hit a post after being put through clear on goal by Graham again.

York City 0; Torquay Utd 0

Porter 7, Wise 8, Smith 8, Hope 7, Wood 6, Cooper 8, Dunning 7, Merris 7, Bell 8, Nogan 7, Offiong 7 (Yalcin 6, 66)

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

Subs not used: Ovendale, Ward, Davies, Donovan

Star Man: Bell - brought an aggression and hunger to City's attack

Torquay: Kevin Dearden, Reuben Hazell, Craig Taylor, Steve Woods, Brian McGlinchey, Lee Canoville, Joe Broad, Matthew Hockley, Kevin Hill, David Graham, Jo Kuffour (Martin Gritton, 55). Subs not used: Arjan Van Heusden, David Woozley, Kevin Wills, Jimmy Benefield.

Yellow cards: Hazell 79

Red cards: None

Referee: Mark Warren (Walsall)

Rating: Generally good, refreshingly lenient with yellow cards.

Attendance: 3,150.

Weather watch: Mild and dry.

Game breaker: If Andy Bell's header had not come back off the bar City would have almost certainly ended long wait for a win.

Match rating: Very entertaining for a goalless draw. City much improved.

Updated: 10:52 Monday, March 15, 2004