STILL no goals, nor three-point hauls, on their travels for York City.

It is now seven matches since City won and six League games since they scored away from Bootham Crescent.

But the Minstermen could at least claim the moral victory at Glanford Park after a gritty and battling performance that deserved a point at the very least.

Player-manager Chris Brass had demanded a more patient approach from City on their travels and his demands were suitably met.

City have played more flowing football this season, but rarely have they been as solid, resolute and concentrated.

In many ways, it was the perfect away-day performance - City were quick to get men behind the ball and then close the man down in possession.

Once possession had been gleaned, City hardly blazed a trail going forward but used the ball carefully and probably had two of the best chances of the match.

A fellow hack described the first half as 'lousy' and he wasn't too far from the truth.

Chances were few and far between, but that would have suited City with the growing frustration of the home side an indication of a job well done by the Minstermen.

City were particularly resolute at the back, dealing quite comfortably with what little pressure The Iron exerted.

Scunthorpe had few chances of note although Steve Maclean fired a shot from close range at the legs of Mark Ovendale before Ian Kilford hit a first-time shot from the edge of area just over the meeting of post and bar.

City's best chance fell to Lee Bullock but his glancing near-post header from a Dave Merris cross was too close to Iron 'keeper Sam Russell.

A fairly tedious half sprung to life just minutes before the break with the dismissal of Jon Parkin.

The City striker had been hauled back by Cliff Byrne as he tried to race on to a Darren Edmondson ball and the United defender was rightly booked.

As City were lining up the free-kick midway into the Scunthorpe half, in the penalty-box Byrne had Parkin in what could only be described as a bear hug.

Parkin tried to wrestle free by swinging his arms. There seemed little intent to connect with Byrne, indeed contact was minimal. At worst, a flailing arm grazed Byrne's ear but the United defender fell flamboyantly to the ground.

Initially, referee Eddie Evans seemed content to give both players a severe talking to but after consulting with his referee's assistant brandished a red card at Parkin.

It looked harsh on the City striker but it was still extremely naive to to flail an arm anywhere near a marker.

Strangely enough, Parkin's dismissal almost aided City's cause.

With Lee Nogan left to plough a lone furrow up front, City's cautious approach of the first half was now a necessity.

Any attacking intent could be shelved and City's goal was crystal clear - to hold what they'd got.

With City happy to put men behind the ball and fight a valiant rearguard action, the onus was on Scunthorpe to find a way through.

Much to the frustration of the home support, they couldn't and the longer the game wore on the more assured City got.

Indeed, City had arguably the best chance of the entire game 15 minutes into the second half.

From Ovendale's long punt, Bullock flicked the ball on and Nogan raced clear

Unfortunately for City, Russell raced from his line sharply and managed to spread himself superbly just as Nogan tried to squeeze the ball under the advancing shot-stopper.

Midway through the second half, the game took another decisive twist when Scunthorpe's Steve Torpey joined Parkin for an early bath after directing another flailing arm in the direction of Brass.

Just as the sending-off of Parkin had given the Minstermen a sharper purpose, Torpey's red card eased the burden of expectation on United.

The Iron dominated the final quarter, with Peter Beagrie peppering the City area with a series of well-flighted centres.

City had one more decent chance to break the deadlock but when Bullock threatened to pierce The Iron defence, his shot was too weak to trouble Russell.

But it was Scunthorpe who fashioned the greater opportunities as the clock ticked down.

Paul Hayes should have scored after springing the offside trap but lobbed his effort over Ovendale and wide of an upright.

If that was a fortunate escape for City, the Minstermen had an even closer shave deep into stoppage time when Maclean directed a free header from six yards just a fraction wide of a post.

Defeat would have been too cruel and City had richly deserved their dose of good fortune.

On this evidence, an away goal and an away victory will soon be banked and City can head to Cheltenham in confident mood.

Ovendale 7, Edmondson 8, Smith 9, Brass 9, Hope 8, Merris 7, Ward 7, Dunning 7, Bullock 7, Nogan 9 (George 84m), Parkin 5

Subs not used: Porter, Cooper, Brackstone, Dove

Star Man: Lee Nogan. Worked relentlessly. All his experience came to the fore in the second half.

Key

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

Scunthorpe: Russell, Graves (Stanton 70m), Butler, Jackson (Hayes 66m), Byrne, Sharp, Kilford, Barwick, Beagrie, Torpey, Maclean. Subs not used: Evans, Ridley, Keegan.

Yellow cards: Jackson 15m, Byrne 39, Beagrie 41, Edmondson 74, Ovendale 88.

Red cards: Parkin 41m, Torpey 73.

Referee: Eddie Evans (Manchester)

Rating: Some contentious decisions but got little wrong.

Attendance: 3,807

Weather watch: Bright then rain.

Game breaker: Maclean's header in stoppage time would have meant jeers not cheers for City

Match rating: Compelling despite lack of goalmouth action.

Updated: 10:14 Monday, October 27, 2003