PLAYER chief Chris Brass reckons York City are firmly back on track after failing by a whisker to beat high-flying Oxford United.

United arrived at Bootham Crescent in second place having suffered just one defeat all season and boasting the best defensive record in Division Three.

City looked well set to become only the second team this season to taste victory over Oxford when they led 2-1 courtesy of goals either side of half-time from Lee Nogan and Richard Hope.

However, with less than five minutes left on the clock Oxford substitute Chris Hackett grabbed a late leveller for the visitors leaving City to toast just one point instead of all three.

Despite the disappointment of letting victory slip through their grasp, Brass was highly encouraged by City's performance.

"I'm disappointed not to have won the game but footballing wise we were back to where we wanted," he enthused.

"It is arguably the best performance we have put in for a long time.

"We created chances on Saturday against Boston and we carried on from there.

"Everyone wanted to be on the ball, everyone demanded it and we could see the confidence building through the side.

"No one shirked anything, everybody wanted it and character wise it was our best performance of the season."

Brass said he was particularly pleased with the way City recovered from falling behind to an early and controversial goal.

The City player-boss clearly pushed the ball into his own net from a Scott McNiven cross but his handball went unnoticed by referee Carl Boyeson.

Brass claimed he was shoved in the back by an Oxford striker as he tried to head the danger clear.

Boyeson also failed to see Oxford striker Julian Alsop give Brass a two-handed push in the face as the crestfallen City boss tried to get to his feet.

"That's football, these things happen and we picked ourselves up," said Brass.

"We didn't dwell on it and we showed a lot of character to bounce back.

"They changed their formation three times in the first half which says a lot.

"Oxford are a good, well organised side. That is why they had the best defensive record in the division. We had to make sure we matched them and we did .

"We came out with an awful lot of credit and I am sure their manager is a relieved man.

"If we continue to perform like that we won't lose many games."

As he looks ahead to Saturday's trip to Scunthorpe United, Brass admitted after a dip in form City had reset their standards.

"We played arguably one of the best teams in this division off the park. We haven't got our just rewards but performance-wise there are no complaints.

"We can go into the game on Saturday positive. We have set our standards and if we don't perform to that then I can ask one or two questions, but if we do then we won't be too far away."

Brass revealed Dave Merris suffered a minor bout of concussion after a clash of heads but should be fit for the trip to Glanford Park.

City skipper Darren Edmondson, out since August with a calf strain, should also come into contention providing he comes through today's reserve team game at Darlington unscathed.

Updated: 11:29 Wednesday, October 22, 2003