AFTER the dent to York City's promotion hopes following Saturday's defeat at Rushden & Diamonds, a more sickening blow was suffered at Feethams last night.

The Minstermen looked odds on to claim at least a point having battled back from a 1-0 half-time deficit to level the scores and move into a position of some authority.

However, with just three minutes to go, Darlington snatched a late winner and, adding insult to injury, it was former Minsterman Barry Conlon who claimed the glory for the Quakers.

Rubbing more salt into the gaping wounds was the fact City were pressing for a winner of their own when goalkeeper Andy Collett claimed a free-kick flung into the Darlington box.

Without hesitation, he released Richard Hodgson who scampered away down the left and centred. Ian Clark dummied and Conlon, at the far post, lashed the ball into the roof of the net.

It was as simple and quick as it was devastating. Manager Terry Dolan called it unprofessional. At best it was naive. City clearly overcommitted themselves in terms of men going forward for the free-kick.

It was truly gut-wrenching too because, after levelling the scores just three minutes into the second half, City looked the side most likely to go on and claim victory.

Darlington had taken the lead on 30 minutes with Conlon and Collett playing decisive roles, the goalkeeper launching the ball forward and the ex-City striker nudging it forward.

Danny Mellanby outpaced the City defence to race clear and carefully lift the ball beyond Michael Ingham.

But the goal aside, City had been, as is the norm, relatively controlled in defence and enjoyed much the better possession in the opening 45 minutes.

They certainly held the upper hand but what was lacking was a real change of pace or cutting edge in and around the Darlington area.

Plenty of balls were flung into the box, causing consternation in an easily ruffled home defence, but while City knocked and knocked they couldn't quite turn the key.

The Minstermen's best efforts both fell to Anthony Shandran, but after nicking possession from Matt Clarke he overran the ball enabling Collett to claim. Then, after cutting inside Craig Liddle, he shot straight at the Quakers' shot-stopper.

Fortunately for City, the second half got off to a dream start when Clarke headed Chris Smith's deep cross straight to the lurking Lee Bullock some 20 yards from goal.

The midfielder, revelling in a more advanced role, chested the ball down and lashed it into the far corner of the net with his left foot.

With the scores level, the stage was set for the Minstermen to go on and claim victory, City continuing to pass, probe and press.

However, after Richard Cooper was lost to injury just past the hour City were forced to reshuffle and seemed to lose their way.

At the same time, Darlington found a second wind just as City's energy levels dipped.

It was the Quakers' turn to push forward with Clark Keltie forcing a fine fingertip save from Ingham with a fierce 30-yard drive.

Scott Jones made an important header to deny Conlon a clear sight of goal, while Stuart Wise produced a critical interception to lift the ball clear of Hodgson.

City were living dangerously but as the clock ticked closer to 90 minutes they looked to have weathered the worst of the storm.

But with the end in sight that only served to make City's carelessness all the more bewildering and Conlon's late blast all the more galling.

Deep into stoppage time, Jon Parkin almost came to the rescue but from Alex Mathie's cross his looping header was well-saved by Collett.

Just as on Saturday at Nene Park, City deserved better. But this time around they had only themselves to blame.

Darlington: Collett, Valentine, Liddle, Pearson, Clarke, Betts, Maddison, Keltie, Nicholls (Hodgson 76m), Conlon, Mellanby (Clark 61m). Subs (not used): Porter, Wainwright, Hockenhull.

Goals: Mellanby 30m, Conlon 88m.

Bookings: Keltie 39m, Pearson 64m (both fouls). Sent-off: None.

York City: Ingham 7, Edmondson 6, Smith 7, Brass 7, Jones 7, Potter 7, Bullock 8, Cooper 8 (Wise 64m 7), Nogan 7 (Wood 76m) , Parkin 6, Shandran 6 (Mathie 87m). Subs (not used): Stockdale, Cowan.

Goals: Bullock 48m.

Bookings: Shandran 72m (foul); Sent-off: None.

REF: Scott Mathieson (Stockport)

ATTENDANCE: 3,434.

Man of the match: Lee Bullock. With Richard Cooper providing the defensive shield, Bullock was able to get forward more often and always looked a danger.

Updated: 10:21 Wednesday, March 05, 2003