BOSS Chris Brass reckons York City have moved another step closer to becoming the finished article after battling back from a two-goal deficit to claim a point at Leyton Orient, writes Dave Stanford.

Saturday's 2-2 draw stretched City's unbeaten run in Division Three to six games and was the first time City have scored twice on their travels since the opening day of the season.

Brass was particularly pleased with the fact City refused to buckle after trailing 2-0 and insisted a second half fightback underlined his team's growing potential.

Said Brass: "I said last week we were maturing and that was proved again.

"To come back from two goals down was another feather in the cap.

"Everything that we ask of the players at the moment they are doing and they are trusting and believing in me.

"While I have got that as a manager I will have a chance."

He added: "We now know we can come back if we go a goal behind.

"We hadn't scored that many away from home and that was a concern.

"We have broken that burden now and we are starting to score in away games, so we have to keep that going."

While Orient forged a 2-0 lead City squandered several clear chances to suggest City's away-day blues would continue but the Minstermen suddenly found their scoring boots in the second half.

Darren Edmondson's first goal of the season and a Stephen Brackstone effort drew City level and the Minstermen also had chances to snatch the win.

Brass revealed it took some calming words and reassurance at the break to reinvigorate his troops.

"We just told the boys to be patient because we knew there were goals out there," he explained.

"A little bit of quality was lacking but that was all.

"We probably came out and gave our best 45 minutes second half performance we have given all season."

Updated: 11:13 Monday, November 24, 2003