NOTIONS of going through the motions were firmly banished as a red mist descended over Bootham Crescent last night.

Pre-season may be looked upon as the calm before the storm, but man in black Carl Bassingdale whipped up a whirlwind.

After brandishing six yellow cards and two reds - one aimed at the York City's luckless Jon Parkin - safety stewards felt it necessary to escort the Doncaster official from the pitch at the end of 90 eventful minutes.

It was probably an unnecessary gesture by the security staff, but as the boos rolled from the terraces and Main Stand it was difficult not to believe the season was already in full swing.

No doubt Bassingdale's hand was forced by the decision of the FA to charge Wakefield referee Alan Kaye for failing to apply the laws and dismiss Mark Viduka during City's friendly with Leeds United eight days earlier.

And if a player throws a punch he deserves to be sent-off, friendly or no friendly.

However, Parkin, as honest as they come, maintained he was only acting as peacemaker when Scott McLaughlin's reckless lunge on City's Steve Downes prompted a mass melee involving just about every out-field player.

And even before the dismissals, Bassingdale's performance could at best be described as poor.

A glut of inconsistent decisions served only to foster a tension that had simmered ever since Livingston's Fernando Pasquinelli escaped unpunished after kicking out at City trialist Adam Reed midway through the first half.

By his actions, Bassingdale managed to overshadow another promising performance from City.

Letting slip a 2-0 lead was disappointing, but for the most part City continued on their upward curve towards the big kick-off on August 9.

The quintet of trialists who started the match did themselves no harm with some solid performances, in particular centre-back Richard Hope and left wing-back Damon Searle.

Striker Ian Lawson looked short of match fitness, but crossed for Lee Nogan to grab City's opener on 13 minutes.

Nogan threatened to return the compliment on 39 minutes, but his cross was diverted into the path of Darren Dunning, who drilled it home from eight yards.

Before the expected flurry of second-half substitutions, Dunning and his fellow midfield musketeers of Mitch Ward and Lee Bullock had shown some real class.

If City are to start the season with wing-backs and a midfield three as seems likely, Dunning, Ward and Bullock look a well-balanced unit.

Livingston pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time through Pasquinelli's glancing header.

They drew level thanks to another questionable Bassingdale decision four minutes into the second half.

From Jamie McAllister's cross the City defence looked to have crowded out Pasquinelli only for the referee to spot an infringement and point to the penalty spot.

It was difficult to know who was more bemused, City or Livingston, but Barry Wilson showed little sympathy as he fired the spot-kick home.

Some more promising cameos from Leigh Wood, Liam George and Chris Smith, all substitutes, lifted the spirits before the 69th-minute fracas overshadowed everything.

Their was still one final twist in the tail and kick in the teeth for City as Livingston snatched victory in the dying embers when John-Paul McGovern's volley was directed into his own net by Downes.

YORK CITY: Ward, Edmondson (Downes 56m), Searle (Law 66min), Reed (Smith 44m), Hope (Davies 76m), Dunning (Wood 46m), Brass (Jones 54m), Bullock (George 46m), Nogan (Wilford 46m), Ward (Cooper 46m), Lawson (Parkin 46m). Subs, not used: Porter, Fox.

Goals: Nogan 13m, Dunning 39m. Bookings: Searle 64m, Jones 73m. Sent-off: Parkin 69m

LIVINGSTON: McKenzie, McNamee, McAllister, Makel, Andrews, Rubio, McGovern, Xausa (Lilley 46m), Pasquinelli (P McLaughlin 78m), Wilson (S McLaughlin 58m), O'Brien. Subs, not used: Dorado, English, Main. Goals: Pasquinello 45m, Wilson 49m (pen), McGovern 90m. Booked: Pasquinelli 17m, McNamee 64m, McAllister 69m, P McLaughlin 84m. Sent-off: S McLaughlin 69m

REFEREE: Carl Bassingdale (Doncaster) ATTENDANCE: 1,015

Updated: 10:23 Friday, August 01, 2003