THE FA Cup sprinkled its usual magic across the country this weekend but what a shame none managed to catch the wind and fall on Bootham Crescent.

A Yorkshire derby and a sizeable crowd contributed to a bristling cup-tie atmosphere and realised a match packed with passion, excitement and no shortage of incident.

In so many ways, it was a game which epitomised the FA Cup.

Crucially for the Minstermen though, that one telling ingredient - 'magic' - that so often ensures the underdog is wagging its tail come the final whistle, failed to show.

At the very least, City deserved a replay for their effort and commitment.

But they also provided much more than blood and guts against a side riding high in the Second Division.

The Minstermen controlled the ball and therefore the game for long periods but paid the price for failing to convert their possession into chances and goals.

In contrast, Barnsley created very little but were cool, cruel and clinical when it mattered.

The visitors, particularly in the first-half, looked a side of moderate ambition. They allowed City to play to their strengths as the Minstermen passed and moved the ball around sharply.

But in exposing City's strengths, it also highlighted their obvious weakness - actually putting the ball in the back of the opposition's net.

While City passed the ball smartly in front of Barnsley. Rarely was it delivered in behind the Tykes' defence, who were never really turned towards their own goal.

As such, City's best chances throughout came with efforts from distance. Dave Merris, after a forceful run down the left, went close with a rising drive that cleared the crossbar by inches. Mitch Ward also drilled an effort from an acute angle from the corner of the penalty area that at least forced a save from Sasa Ilic.

At the opposite end, Mark Ovendale was rarely called into action and the neutrals among the crowd would have struggled to realise the two teams on display where separated by a whole division.

FA Cup, Round One

Sunday, November 9, 2003

at Bootham Crescent

City ratings

Ovendale 6

Edmondson 6

Smith 7

Brass 6

Hope 7

Merris 6

Ward 6 (Brackstone 58 - 6)

Cooper 7 (Wilford 90)

Dunning 7 (George 86)

Nogan 7

Subs not used: Porter,Wood

Star Man: Darren Dunning - Another bustling all-action display

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

Barnsley: Illic, O'Callaghan, Ireland, Handyside (Austin 21), Gallimore, Kay, Hayward, Burns, Carson (Lumsdon 79), Betsy, Rankin. Subs, not used: Alcock, Wroe, Neil

Yellow cards: Ward 32m, Burns 32m, Merris 45m, Smith 63m, Lumsdon 87m

Red cards: None.

Referee: Roy Pearson (Peterlee)

Rating: Struggled to keep control.

Attendance: 5,658

Weather watch: Dull and overcast

Game breaker: Bullock's miss. A minute later and Barnsley bagged their winner.

Match rating: Cracking cup-tie

Updated: 09:55 Monday, November 10, 2003