IT is never pretty when it comes to the business end of the season.

With so much at stake, every point becomes even more precious, especially as the race for the promotion and play-off places hots up.

Performances are often put to one side in the pursuit of points, with it being a time for workman-like displays and a never-say-die attitude.

Fortunately, York City have both these qualities in abundance and they can count themselves unlucky not to have held on for all three points after their 'backs to the wall' display against Wrexham.

Only Andy Morrell's late equaliser, when it seemed destined that the Welsh side would be denied, stopped the Minstermen completing a smash and grab raid in the Principality.

After Darren Edmondson, seemingly making a late dash for the golden boot, had given City a sixth-minute lead, the shutters came down and the proverbial shop was shut up for the day.

As much as Wrexham huffed and they puffed, City looked solid with on-loan Sunderland goalkeeper Michael Ingham once again proving his worth as the replacement for Alan Fettis.

There is little doubt that Wrexham bossed the game and had the chances to win - a fact backed up by the stats with the Dragons managing 23 attempts at goal to City's four - but the visitors' defence was outstanding.

And for that alone City deserve credit. Yes Morrell did finally find a chink in the armour in the 88th-minute, but their resolve was superb and in truth most City fans, along with the club's management and players, would have accepted a share of the spoils before the game.

Edmondson, the match-winner against Bristol Rovers, gave City the lead with a scrambled effort in the sixth minute.

Tom Cowan launched the ball into the danger zone from a throw and although Dennis Lawrence beat Jon Parkin to the header, the ball flew into the six-yard box.

Leigh Wood rose to nod the ball goalwards and although former Manchester City stopper Andy Dibble produced a great reaction save, Edmondson arrived at the back post to fire the ball home, via a touch on the line from Darren Ferguson.

The goal, Edmondson's fourth of the season - not a bad tally for a player who went more than 100 games before netting his first for the Minstermen over the festive period against Hull - came after City had survived an early spell of pressure.

And in all truth, although City had a couple of half chances after that, the Welshmen were the dominant force from there on in.

Lee Trundle had a couple of tame efforts, just to ensure Ingham was alert, while Brian Carey got his head to the ball in the box on three occassions only to lack the finish.

These warnings were not heeded, with Ingham forced to finger-tip over a fourth Carey header after 33 minutes - Wrexham's best chance of the half. Ferguson also went close but Ingham was there to hold on to his dipping free-kick.

Ingham was to come to the fore after the break as he was called into action to produce two breath-taking saves.

With Morrell largely subdued by Chris Brass, Chris Smith and Scott Jones, it was Trundle who took up Wrexham's cause.

First he set up Scott Green, only for the wideman to head wide, and then saw his powerful drive somehow clawed behind by Ingham.

Trundle was denied again moments later when Ingham blocked his snap-shot with his legs after a goalmouth scramble.

As Wrexham turned up the heat, Smith and Brass were both forced into blocking shots from Green and Trundle, while Ingham snaffled anything that landed in the six-yard box.

City did manage a rare venture out with Anthony Shandran firing over, but, to the despair of the travelling faithful, the constant pressure on City took its toll as Morrell showed his poaching talents to stab home the equaliser.

Ferguson, who had also been subdued, curled in a wicked corner that Lawrence won the head to for Morrell to filch his 26th League strike of the season.

Wrexham went close deep into injury time with substitute Lee Jones hitting a post, while City launched a final fling with Richard Cooper seeing his stunning effort from 30 yards tipped on to the bar by Dibble.

Perhaps it was two points lost - either way City are still in the mix.

Wrexham: Dibble, Lawrence, Carey, Roberts, C Edwards, P Edwards (Holmes 78), Whitley (Jones 71), Green, Ferguson, Trundle, Morrell.

Subs (not used): Rogers, Barrett, Morgan.

Goal: Morrell, 88 minutes.

Bookings: None. Sent-off: None.

York City: Ingham 9, Edmondson 8, Cowan 6 (Brackstone 45, 6), Smith 8, Brass 8, Jones 8, Potter 7, Cooper 7, Wood 7, Shandran 6 (Wilding 86), Parkin 7 (Nogan 71).

Subs (not used): Stockdale, Hobson.

Goal: Edmondson, 6 minutes

Bookings: None. Sent-off: None.

REF: George Cain (Bootle)

ATTENDANCE: 4,425

Man of the match: Michael Ingham. Another fabulous showing from the on-loan Sunderland keeper, with three saves worthy of the Premiership.

Updated: 10:09 Monday, March 24, 2003