FOR most Division Three teams, the season began at three o'clock on Saturday afternoon. For York City, it began at four o'clock.

Unfortunately, however, by half-past-three Rushden and Diamonds had already scored and the single goal was to prove enough to earn the visitors their first-ever Football League points.

The Conference champions, who were only formed nine years ago and were still in the Southern League in 1995, came to Bootham Crescent to make their Division Three bow and it was to prove a beautiful baptism for Brian Talbot's men thanks to that wonderful first-half strike by summer signing Warren Patmore.

But the Northamptonshire outfit will be delighted to have escaped with the spoils as they were put under sustained pressure in the second half, while City boss Terry Dolan can reflect that at least his men went down fighting.

Whereas last season the Minstermen began with a bang - Peter Duffield scoring the fastest goal throughout the League - this term they almost forgot the campaign was underway as they put on an uninspiring first-half show.

Duffield's introduction in the second half boosted City's attacking options but despite the half-chances, long-range efforts and a multitude of crosses, especially from man of the match Darren Edmondson, there was to be no equaliser.

City went on to be hammered 4-1 on the opening day last season, so at least this time the supporters were not subjected to a false dawn. For Diamonds, on the other hand, the fairytale continues.

Dolan said afterwards that his side couldn't expect to win a match if they only started to play after half-time.

Too right. The only real chance City created in the first period - barring a couple of nice moves down the right involving Edmondson - saw loanee Michael Proctor see his 41st-minute effort from point-blank range bravely blocked by Garry Butterworth following a Graham Potter corner.

By then, though, Rushden were ahead, and the 27th-minute strike was a goal good enough to grace any league.

Justin Jackson, who caused the City defence problems all day, crossed from the right and Patmore expertly flicked the ball through his own legs and into the bottom left corner, leaving goalkeeper Alan Fettis flat-footed.

It could have been worse for City eight minutes later as Jackson set up left-midfielder Daniel Talbot - the 17-year-old son of boss Brian - but he fired wide of the far post.

Edmondson, Proctor and Potter all needed treatment for head injuries in the first half, but it was probably the ear-bashing handed out by Dolan during the interval that had the biggest mental effect on his players.

City upped the tempo and, although Jackson went close early in the second half, Rushden - barring a few long-range attempts and breakaways by that same player - were mostly on the back foot from there on in.

Edmondson had the first half-chance for City when Bullock's flick found him bearing down on goal, but 'keeper Billy Turley was out bravely to smother the shot.

When Edmondson next broke through he allowed Proctor to take over only for the striker to see his shot deflected into Turley's arms.

The crowd sensed a goal might be coming and raised the temperature, while Dolan too went more on the offensive as he replaced midfielder Nick Richardson with striker Duffield.

The diminutive hitman nearly had an immediate effect when his tackle saw the ball fall to Lee Nogan, but the Welshman, who had earlier headed tamely at the 'keeper from Richardson's cross, curled his 20-yard effort high and wide.

Captain Chris Brass blasted a 20-yarder straight at the 'keeper and miscued a long-range volley wide, while Edmondson saw two crosses narrowly evade Bullock and Nogan in front of goal.

On 86 minutes, Potter headed Duffield's far-post centre back across goal when he could have gone for glory, and three minutes later Nogan saw his 20-yarder saved by a sprawling Turley down to his left.

The ball could easily have rebounded to Edmondson who was closing in but it rolled away from his path, thus denying the wing-back the goal his performance, and City's second-half show, deserved.

City Match Facts

Nationwide Division Three

Saturday, August 11, 2001

York City 0, Rushden 1

York City

Fettis 6; Hocking 6, Basham 6, Hobson 7; Edmondson 8, Potter 6; Bullock 6, Brass 7, Richardson 6 (Duffield 57, 7), Nogan 7, Proctor 7.

Subs, not used: Howarth, Fielding, Emmerson, Wood.

Booked: None.

Sent off:None.

Rushden

Turley; Mustafa, Peters, Rodwell, Underwood; Brady, Mills (Carey 83), Butterworth, Talbot (Setchell 60); Patmore (Darby 80), Jackson.

Subs, not used: Pennock, Solkhon.

Booked: Darby (foul).

Sent off: None.

Man of the match: Darren Edmondson

Worked hard, broke forward well and supplied a number of dangerous crosses

Match Stats

York City

Half-time 0

Corners 8

Shots on target 5

Fouls committed 15

Rushden

Half-time 1

Corners 3

Shots on target 4

Attendance: 4,307

Referee: Mark Warren (Walsall)

City's next match: v Middlesbrough, at Bootham Crescent, on Tuesday, August 14, 2001. North Riding Senior Cup final, kick-off 7.45pm

Fouls committed 14