BRIAN Clough once claimed it only takes a second to score a goal. Try telling that to York City's long-suffering away supporters.

The Minstermen's travelling army had endured a goal famine of more than ten hours before Saturday's 400-mile round trip to Cheltenham - although Jon Parkin's 40-yard blockbuster was almost worth the wait.

Parkin prevented City from setting an undesirable new club record of seven successive away League matches without a goal in spectacular style but, sadly, his deadlock-breaker was cancelled out five minutes from time by Cheltenham substitute Damian Spencer.

The equaliser means Chris Brass' men have now gone eight league and cup games since their last away win, secured by Lee Bullock's solitary goal at Huddersfield on August 23.

But at least City are becoming a difficult side to beat, having drawn each of their last four games.

Saturday's match, a day after Halloween, provided few tricks or treats, aside from Parkin's wonderstrike and, unlike the Gold Cup staged at the nearby racecourse, it was not a classic contest.

Neither side mustered a shot in an uninspiring opening 25 minutes before veteran home striker Bob Taylor's tame header was comfortably saved by Mark Ovendale.

The City 'keeper, who enjoyed another assured afternoon, reacted swiftly moments later to charge out of his box after the AWOL defence had allowed Cheltenham captain Mark Yates with a clear run on goal.

City then had the ball in the back of the net twice in 11 minutes only for both efforts to be disallowed.

Firstly, Bullock side-footed into a gaping goal after home 'keeper Shane Higgs could only parry a powerful, deflected Mitch Ward drive but the Minstermen's top scorer was denied his fifth goal of the season by an offside flag.

Secondly, Lee Nogan was penalised for the same infringement on 39 minutes after lobbing Higgs.

Sandwiched in between those efforts was a mazy dribble by Paul Brayson that ended in a shot saved by an alert Ovendale at his near post.

Parkin did spring the offside trap on 41 minutes but it was not clear whether he intended to cross or shoot as he bore down on goal. If it was a shot his attempt lacked the necessary venom to beat Higgs and if it was a cross his centre was far too close to the goalkeeper to find an unmarked Bullock.

Parkin was the culprit again three minutes after the break when, off balance, he directed a good chance wide having collected Nogan's precise ball.

At the other end, City stayed determined and resolute. The Minstermen's player-boss might not be a household name in the Cotswolds as was indicated by the reference to Phil Brass in the match programme, but the Football League's youngest manager marshalled his defence astutely with Richard Hope looking particularly accomplished.

The recalled Richard Cooper also responded well to his recent omission, providing valuable protection for his back three after replacing the suspended Darren Dunning and being employed as City's midfield anchor man.

It was Ovendale, though, who kept the visitors level on 50 minutes when he saved at his near post to keep out Brayson's low drive.

Home midfielder John Finnigan then saw a 25-yard drive whistle inches wide as Cheltenham looked to give caretaker boss Bob Bloomer a second victory since taking temporary charge after Bobby Gould's resignation.

Ovendale was called into action again on 63 minutes when he palmed Martin Devaney's edge-of-the-box effort wide, referee Steve Tomlin mysteriously awarding a goal kick.

Nogan and Bullock exchanged passes on 73 minutes before the Minstermen's player-coach shot straight at Higgs from 20 yards and the lively Devaney, who was now getting the better of City's Dave Merris down the right, tested Ovendale once more at his near post.

But if City's inability to score on their travels was alarming before Saturday's match, Cheltenham have been equally as concerned about their aversion to clean sheets this season, boasting just one against promotion-chasing Oxford.

On this occasion, however, it took an incredible effort to maintain that statistic. Bullock won a header near the halfway line and, after the ball bounced up invitingly, Parkin unleashed a dipping 40-yard thunderbolt that caught Higgs marginally off his line and rocketed into the top corner.

The watching Carlton Palmer, the recently-dismissed Stockport boss who has been linked with the Robins' managerial vacancy, left his seat in the stands following Parkin's piledriver, but consequently missed his potential new charges' best period.

Parkin departed soon after his goal because of fatigue but, having signed off in terrific fashion before his four-match ban begins, he was deprived of a fairytale farewell when Devaney skipped down the right and provided a perfect cross for Spencer to beat Ovendale with a towering header, which looped over Brass on the goal-line.

Nationwide League, Div 3

Saturday, November 1, 2003

at Whaddon Road

Cheltenham 1,(Spencer 85)

York City 1, (Parkin 77)

City ratings

Ovendale 7

Edmondson 6

Smith 6

Brass 7

Hope 8

Merris 6

Ward 6

Cooper 7

Bullock 6

Nogan 6

Parkin 7 (Wood 83)

Subs not used: Porter, Law, George, Dove

Star Man: Richard Hope - a confident and comfortable display.

Key:

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

Cheltenham: Higgs, Jones, Brough (Corbett 82), Duff, Victory, Howells, Yates, Finnigan, Devaney, Brayson, Taylor (Spencer 77). Subs not used: Book, Bird, Cleverley.

Yellow cards: Cooper 70, Merris 72 for City; Finnigan 51, Duff 58, Devaney 87 for Cheltenham.

Red cards: None.

Referee: Steve Tomlin (Sussex)

Rating: Generally good but a few bizarre decisions.

Attendance: 3,431

Weather watch: Bright and crisp.

Game breaker: The introduction of Cheltenham subs Spencer and Corbett.

Match rating: Fair result but little quality on show.

Updated: 08:46 Monday, November 03, 2003