IF ONE player epitomised York City's performance on Saturday, indeed their performances of late, then Darren Edmondson was the man.

No-one could fault his commitment but the City wing-back, just like the Minstermen, had not had the best of games until the 68th minute.

But it was Edmondson who almost single-handedly lifted City from the patchy to the in-tune in the blink of an eye.

Chasing a lost cause out wide on the right, the one-time Huddersfield Town terrier kept the ball alive rather than take a throw.

Looking up, he played a neat one-two with Peter Duffield, whose return pass was perfectly weighted for Edmondson to get in behind the Hartlepool defence.

To the by-line Edmondson charged before looking up for a second time and picking out Lee Nogan, who was able to ram the ball into the roof of the net for his ninth goal of the season in his 50th appearance in a City shirt.

Up to then the Minstermen had created the two best chances of the game prior to Edmondson's telling intervention. But Hartlepool had been the better side and had enjoyed the greater possession.

As the Minstermen flashed occasionally, but stuttered and stalled generally, United carried that arrogant swagger of a team riding the crest of a five-match unbeaten run.

Credit then must go to not just Edmondson but the whole City team, who are no longer so accepting of their fate even when they are not necessarily in control.

As they had done at Halifax in midweek, City started slowly.

But for yet another magnificent save from Alan Fettis and some sluggish finishing from the visitors City could have been dead and buried within the first 15 minutes.

There was barely a minute on the clock when Fettis acrobatically tipped Adam Boyd's half-volley over the bar. From the resultant corner Graeme Lee headed over from a good position.

Three minutes later former City midfielder Mark Tinkler should have scored when he latched on to Mark Robinson's free-kick but headed just wide.

City were simply not at the races in the opening quarter but perhaps fathomed the best chance of the half on 16 minutes when a sweeping move involving Nogan, Michael Proctor and Duffield gave Nick Richardson a gilt-edged chance but from 12 yards the City midfielder screwed his effort high and wide.

After the break the pace become more frantic.

Hartlepool continued to dominate possession but again it was City who fashioned the clearest sight of goal.

Duffield and Nogan combined again to release Proctor in the clear.

With Chris Brass square and in space the on-loan Sunderland hit-man chose to shoot instead of pass and Anthony Williams was able to make a fine save.

Fettis had to be equally alert to deny Kevin Henderson's drive before James Coppinger squandered a good chance for United, shooting over the bar with just the City goalkeeper to beat.

After Edmondson's searing surge and Nogan's telling blast City, rather like their wing-back, had lift-off and should have added to their tally in the final quarter.

They were only denied another goal by a fantastic double save from Williams.

Having saved Proctor's rising drive with his feet the Pool 'keeper somehow managed to push Duffield's follow-up around the post.

Hartlepool were unfortunate not to grab an equaliser when Tinkler's shot hit the inside of a post and bounced out rather than in with Fettis stranded.

But so revitalised were City by their goal that by the final whistle no one could begrudge them their win.

They had signed off in style but it if anything the three points were rich reward for dogged determination when the chips were down.

'When the going gets tough the tough get going' could fit quite nicely as City's - and Edmondson's - motto of late.

- The 'Proud to be Red Day' at Bootham Crescent attracted a near 5,000 crowd, boosted by a large contingent from Hartlepool.

At half-time a huge scarf stitched together of clubs throughout the league was paraded around the pitch to draw attention to the plight of up-for-sale City.

Fact File:

York City:

Scorer: Nogan 68m

Fettis 8, Edmondson 7, Hocking 7, Basham 7, Parkin 8, Potter 7, Brass 6, Richardson 6, Proctor 6, Duffield 8 (Mathie 88m), Nogan 7 (Bullock 82m).

Subs (not used): Howarth, Smith, Wood.

Bookings: Edmondson 25m (foul)

Sent off: None.

Hartlepool:

Williams, Barron, Lee, Westwood, Robinson, Coppinger, Humphreys, Tinkler, Smith, Boyd, Henderson (Easter 67m).

Subs (not used): Hollund, Stephenson, Clarke, Arnison.

Bookings: Lee 75m (foul).

Sent off: None.

Attendance: 4,823

Referee: Scott Mathieson (Stockport)

Updated: 09:40 Monday, February 18, 2002