FROM a winning groove to a losing rut, from invincible to intimidated, York City are proving to be a team of extremes.

After win, win, win and win, it's now lose, lose and lose again.

But the peaks and troughs are not just restricted to results.

City's performances are likewise black or white, burning hot or freezing cold. They ride a crest of a wave or slope around in the gutter, and not just from match to match but from half to half.

Somewhere in the middle is perhaps needed. Consistently lukewarm over 90 minutes and grinding out for a point would almost be welcomed in the circumstances.

If City's first half performance against Rochdale seven days earlier sent shivers down the spine, City were close to hypothermia in the first half against Yeovil.

After a cautious opening, with seemingly little between the two sides, Yeovil slowly tightened their grip.

A flurry of corners and free-kicks around the City goal increased the pressure, but just as City appeared to have weathered the storm Yeovil's persistence reaped its reward.

Midway through the first period, Gareth Williams delivered a well flighted ball into the box and Kirk Jackson sent a soaring header over Mark Ovendale from 18 yards.

Yeovil didn't wait long to double their advantage.

Ovendale produced a smart save to deny another Jackson header that threatened to creep inside the post but from the resultant corner centre-back Colin Pluck was able to power his header home from eight yards relatively unhindered.

An inability to stem the source or then deal with crosses as they arrive in the box is proving to be a glaring weakness in the City armoury.

Rochdale took advantage last week, but so too have Lincoln and Carlisle, and of the nine League goals conceded this term seven have come from a header via a cross.

But it wasn't just in defence where City creaked on Saturday. Going forward, the Minstermen looked laboured and shorn of that oh-so crucial confidence.

The big 'c' can make such a difference. With it, and the man in possession nearly always has an option. Without it, players stutter nervously to receive the pass rather than stride purposefully and the whole team looks disjointed.

Skipper Lee Bullock did his best to spark City into life with some surging runs, while Mitch Ward hustled and bustled in midfield, but elsewhere few others looked willing to take responsibility.

It was Bullock who had City's only real chance of the opening period, his soaring header from Steve Downes' cross coming close to licking the Yeovil crossbar.

As frustrating as it is bizzare and in a repeat of Rochdale, City were a side transformed after the break.

From meek and mild-mannered to aggressive and determined, someone had obviously found the on-switch during the interval as City rallied impressively.

It was not quite the relentless pressure that was inflicted upon the Dale, but given City's woeful first half performance it was still a dramatic about-turn.

Stuart Wise had Chris Weale in the Yeovil goal at full stretch with a turn and volley from 20 yards, Aron Wilford nodded just wide at far post before Dave Merris had Weale at full-stretch again with an angled drive.

It was a valiant effort but really was too little too late this time around.

In any case, it was Yeovil who were to have the final word deep into stoppage time.

As City pressed, the Glovers broke away and from Jamie Gosling's low cross substitute Adam Stansfield swept the ball home at the far post.

The goal made little difference to the result but it must be hoped it did not prick the little bubble of confidence that the second half should have realised in the Minstermen ranks.

Just as quickly as City have lost their winning habit it can return and tomorrow's visit of Darlington provides the perfect opportunity.

Match stats:

Yeovil 3 (Jackson 21, Pluck 34, Stansfield 90), York City 0

City: Ovendale 5, Downes 5, Wise 5, Brass 5, Hope 5, Merris 5, Ward 6, Wood 6, Bullock 6, Wilford 5, Nogan 6

Subs

George (64m) for Wilford, Cooper (70) for Nogan, Downes (78) for Hope,

Star Man

Bullock. Did his best to instill spark.

Key

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

Yeovil: Lockwood, Pluck, O'Brien, Bull (Gosling 86m), Williams, Way, Johnson, Crittenden, Jackson (Edwards 86m), Gall (Stansfield 90m). Subs (not used): Collis, Terry.

Yellow cards: Hope 27m, Gall 56m, Bull 79m

Red cards: None

Referee: Trevor Kettle (Berkshire). Rating: A bit too picky.

Attendance: 5,653

Weather watch: Blazing sun, cool breeze.

Game breaker: An impoverished first-half performance by City.

Match rating: Very disappointing from a City perspective.

Updated: 11:37 Monday, September 15, 2003