Another priceless point for York City and a particularly satisfying one for the men in red.

For a game with all the ingredients of a feisty affair it was a strangely subdued derby duel.

The whistle of the referee and the flags of his assistants dominated the largely sterile proceedings along with a series of poorly executed free-kicks, throwings and corners from both teams.

In truth, there was precious little for the crowd of 11,820 - the second biggest in the Third Division this season - to get excited about.

But that must have suited Terry Dolan and York - on foreign turf a sign of a job well done.

The fact it brought about a temporary halt to Hull City's concerted promotion push merely added to the pleasure.

Hull had won their last seven games at Boothferry Park and had lost just two matches in their last 15, but for all their second-half dominance rarely looked like forcing a breakthrough against another rock-solid defensive display from the Minstermen.

Any neutral watching would have had trouble in deciphering which of the two sides was hunting promotion, the other fighting off relegation.

The main talking point of the first half came with its very last kick when ex-City player Rob Matthews lashed the ball past Alan Fettis from the edge of the area with stunning precision.

It was a goal of the season contender - had it counted.

Referee Mike Cooper had clearly blown his whistle to bring the first-half to a close as Matthews shaped to shoot and for all the Tigers' protestations they must have been the only ones among the 12,000 crowd not to have heard the man in black's blast.

Other than that however, there was precious little to bring both sets of supporters to the edge of their seats.

Hull had perhaps the clearer sights of goal with the ever-dangerous John Eyre and the gigantic Kevin Francis both lifting efforts over the bar with just Fettis left to beat.

But a confident-looking City were not without their moments too.

Graham Potter curled a sweetly-struck free-kick from 25 yards out just inches wide of the upright, while Darren Edmondson forced a smart save from Paul Musselwhite at the 'keeper's near post with a low drive.

In an attempt to inject some enthusiasm into his troops, Hull manager Brian Little made a double substitution at half-time withdrawing Francis and Jon Whitney for ex-City striker Rodney Rowe and Thoedore Whitmore.

To a point, it worked. Hull certainly held the upper hand thereafter while City's attacking forays were negligible - a Nick Richardson shot from the edge of the area comfortably saved by Musselwhite was about their only real effort.

But while City could be accused of sitting too deep after the break, it was also difficult to recall Fettis having a save to make as his defenders stood resolute and made a series of vital interceptions and tackles.

Chris Brass bravely blocked Rowe's stinging drive from point-blank range and Mark Bower robbed the ball off the foot of Matthews as he steadied to shoot from Whitmore's knock-down.

And when Rowe did manage to squirm clear from the shackles of Mike Basham the striker, perhaps off balance, pulled his shot horribly wide.

The main talking point of the second-half again centred around another refereeing incident.

For Rowe was perhaps fortunate to be still on the field after needlessly and dangerously pushing Bower into the advertising hoardings.

The barge earned Rowe a yellow card but it could easily have been red while City goalkeeper Fettis was also booked for running some 30 yards to remonstrate with Rowe and sparking a players' melee.

But it was more handbags than fisticuffs, more push and shove than rough and tumble.

A bit like the entire 90 minutes if the truth be known.

Hull City 0 York City 0

YORK CITY: Alan Fettis 6, Darren Edmondson 6, Chris Brass 6, Mike Basham 7, Mark Bower 8, Graham Potter 7 (Gary Hobson 87mins), Richard Cooper 7, Lee Bullock 7, Nick Richardson 6, Lee Nogan 8, Colin Alcide 7

Subs not used:Russ Howarth, Matt Hocking, Scott Emmerson, David McNiven

Booked: Basham 16mins (foul), Fettis 61mins (unsporting conduct) Edmondson 80 ins (foul) Sent off: None

HULL CITY: Paul Musselwhite, Mike Edwards, Jon Whitney (Theodore Whitmore 46mins), Justin Whittle, Ian Goodison, Rob Matthews, Gary Brabin, Mark Atkins, Andy Holt, Kevin Francis (Rodney Rowe 46mins), John Eyre

Subs not used: Lee Bracey, Lee Philpott, David Brown

Booked: Rowe 61mins (unpsorting conduct) Sent off: None

Man of Match: Mark Bower: A number of finely timed interceptions and tackles. Won a number of important headers too

Updated: 12:31 Tuesday, April 17, 2001