THE points may have been missing at the final whistle but pride and disappointment were not.

As both Alan Fettis and Terry Dolan indicated, it is a sign of just how far York City have come that defeat to a championship-chasing side can leave such a sour taste.

After a sparkling opening 45 minutes, a first League win for City at Luton in seven attempts was a distinct possibility.

City had passed the ball better than their high-flying hosts, scored a sublime goal and, for the most part, had looked comfortable in what Luton had to offer.

As a fellow hack in the press-box asked during the break: "If York can play like that why are they near the bottom of the League?"

However, while the first half had bolstered pride the second saw City cough and splutter. As standards dropped disappointment was able to creep in and take over.

City refused to give up the fight, but once Steve Howard doubled his tally they were never really convincing in their endeavours to find an equaliser.

Much has been made of City's lack of confidence this season but, perhaps not surprisingly after a four-match unbeaten run, in the first half it was there in abundance.

Michael Proctor came close to drawing first-blood on ten minutes, latching on to Darren Edmondson's lofted ball and forcing a fine near post save from Carl Emberson with a stiff drive.

City, and their fans, did not have long to wait for Proctor to fire the Minstermen in front following a move that swept from back to front in a blink of an eye.

Lee Nogan, Lee Bullock and Peter Duffield all combined to release Proctor on the left, who cut inside before unleashing a delightful curling shot that nestled in the far corner of the goal.

City's joy was short-lived, however, as within two minutes Luton were level.

Full-back Emmerson Boyce was given far too much room to centre from the right and Howard was able to out-muscle Jon Parkin to plant a firm header past Alan Fettis.

Fettis produced a finger-tip save to deny Adrian Forbes just six minutes later, but in truth while Luton perhaps shaded possession City used what they had better.

Everyone in a yellow shirt wanted the ball and possession was cherished rather than cursed.

What caused standards to drop in the second half is not clear.

Certainly there was more urgency from Luton, who came close to adding a second goal within minutes of the restart.

The City defence also started to creak and after Gary Hobson's header back to goal fell short, Jean Louis Valois was within a whiper of poking Ahmet Brkovic's cross-cum-shot home at the far post.

Like City in the first half, Luton, having gone so close, did not have long to wait to make certain.

Boyce was again involved in the build-up, releasing Forbes down the right who crossed for Howard to bundle home with his head then knee.

Forbes had the ball in the back of the net again for Luton just two minutes later but fortunately for City referee Rob Harris had spotted an infringement.

Despite City's fluidity of the first half drying up, Nogan still fathomed a gilt-edged chance to grab an equaliser only for Bullock to screw his shot badly wide at the crucial moment.

Minutes later, the City midfielder at least forced a save from Emberson with a looping header after Proctor flicked on Parkin's free-kick. Brkovic squandered an even better chance to extend Town's advantage when one-on-one with Fettis, chipping the ball comfortably into the hands of the City keeper.

In the closing minutes the Northern Ireland international denied Howard a hat-trick when he blocked the burly striker's point-blank effort with his legs.

It would have been tough had the scoreline been given extra sheen in Hatters' favour.

It had been a valiant effort from the Minstermen but one that had ultimately been in vain.

Fact file:

Luton Town

Scorers: Howard 19min, 51min.

Luton Town: Emberson, Boyce, Coyne, Neilson, Taylor, Brkovic, Skelton (Hughes 58m), Spring, Valois (Johnson 65m), Howard, Forbes.

Subs, not used: Ovendale, McSwegan, Crowe.

Bookings: Spring 59m (foul).

Sent-off: None.

York City

Scorer: Proctor 17min.

York City: Fettis 7, Edmondson 6, Basham 7 (Wise 56m, 6), Hobson 6, Parkin 7, Potter 6, Brass 6, Bullock 7, Proctor 7, Duffield 7 (Mathie 73m), Nogan 6

Subs not used: Howarth, Richardson, Wood.

Bookings: Proctor 54m (dissent), Wise 77m (foul), Brass 82m (foul), Edmondson 83m (dissent).

Sent-off: None.

Attendance: 6,188

Referee: Bob Harris(Hampshire)

Updated: 11:03 Monday, February 25, 2002