IT was a cruel way for York City to lose, but a glance at the shots on goal columns suggests Lincoln perhaps deserved to steal the spoils with their 88th-minute strike.

The Imps had eight efforts on target to the Minstermen's two at Sincil Bank, and while Alan Marriott was not overworked in the home goal, visiting 'keeper Alan Fettis was made to earn his crust.

However, having already denied Lincoln striker Gavin Gordon a hat-trick with three superb saves, the Irishman could do nothing to prevent the 21-year-old from nicking the winner.

City's defence, on the other hand, probably could have. They had at least three chances to get the ball out of the danger zone, but after Barry Jones' desperate clearance had landed at Gordon's feet 15 yards out, the striker shot home off the inside of the left post.

To put too much blame on the Minstermen's makeshift back line would be a little unfair, as Matt Hocking was again impressive in the centre, while Colin Alcide did okay in his unaccustomed role.

The protection from midfield was questionable too, but the fact remains it was a patched-up defence and it looked like one.

With six defenders ruled out, boss Terry Dolan's hands were tied somewhat, but he was justifiably annoyed at the two goals his men conceded, the first of which came after just two minutes.

City survived when scrambling Richard Peacock's first corner away, but the marking for his next flag kick was even worse and Grant Brown rose to head home.

If City had continued to defend set-pieces so poorly, then the Imps would surely have added to their total. And although Dolan's men did improve, it took almost half an hour for them to get to grips with their hosts - and by then only Fettis and Lady Luck had prevented a bigger deficit.

On five minutes, a free header by Peacock from six yards was destined for the net only to be deflected off Neville Stamp's knee and shave the post.

Seven minutes later, a ball from midfield caught out Alcide and saw the pacy Gordon bear down on goal on the right. The striker should have scored but saw Fettis block well.

Gordon was denied again on 35 minutes, although this time it was more a case of superb goalkeeping than poor finishing.

The Mancunian turned sharply and fired towards the bottom left corner, only to see Fettis drop to his right as quick as a flash and make the block with his outstretched arm. Somehow the ball stuck to his palm.

City had been getting back into it by this stage, although only one real raid, on 18 minutes, had troubled the home defence, itself understrength and looking shaky.

In the foray, David McNiven did well to prevent the ball going for a goal kick and Kieron Durkan fired in a low cross, only for the on-rushing Graham Potter to fail by inches to connect.

It took 41 minutes for the Minstermen to register their first shot on goal, but McNiven made it pay dividends.

Durkan's free-kick saw Alcide climb well to head the ball back across goal, and McNiven stretched to volley the ball into the left corner from seven yards.

Having been boosted going into the break, City looked the more competent side after the restart, although, as has been the norm this season, a plethora of chances never looked on.

Lincoln did not appear as threatening as they had done early in the first half, however Gordon always looked menacing and on 62 minutes was played in by fellow striker Paul Miller. His shot from 18 yards, however, was superbly saved by Fettis, this time low down to his left.

City weathered a brief second-half storm and a goal at the other end looked possible if not probable.

Substitute Barry Conlon, back in the squad after a virus at the weekend, thought he nabbed one on 81 minutes when challenging Marriott from a Durkan cross. The ball ended up the net, but referee Phil Dowd blew for a foul.

Even after Lincoln's winner, City had the ball in the home goal through Alex Mathie, but again the official ruled it out. The cheers of the 191 City fans in the crowd were all too brief.

Lincoln City 2, York City 1

City Match Facts

Nationwide League Division Three

Tuesday, October 17, 2000

YORK CITY: Alan Fettis 8; Barry Jones 6, Matt Hocking 8, Colin Alcide 6, Neville Stamp 5; Kieron Durkan 6, Steve Agnew 6, Lee Bullock 5 (Christian Fox 74mins), Graham Potter 6; David McNiven 6 (Barry Conlon 77mins), Alex Mathie 5.

Subs, not used: Russell Howarth, Martin Reed, James Turley.

Booked: Potter 33mins, time-wasting

Sent off: None

Scorer: McNiven 41mins

LINCOLN: Alan Marriott; Paul Smith, Grant Brown, Steve Holmes, Paul Mayo; Richard Peacock, Justin Walker (Lee Thorpe 80mins), John Finnigan (John Schofield 90mins), Kingsley Black (Marcus Stergiopoulos 77mins); Gavin Gordon, Paul Miller.

Subs, not used: Craig Mawson, Jason Barnett.

Booked: Gordon 37mins, foul

Sent off: None.

Scorers: Brown 2mins, Gordon 88mins

Evening Press/Unique Pub Man of the Match: Matt Hocking

Did more than his fair share at the back. Along with goalkeeper Alan Fettis, didn't deserve to finish on the losing side.

Lincoln Match Stats

Half-time 1

Corners 11

Shots on target 6

Fouls committed 20

York Match Stats

Half-time 1

Corners 5

Shots on target 2

Fouls committed 15

Attendance: 2,051

Referee: Phil Dowd (Stoke-on-Trent)

City's next match

Saturday, October 21: York City v Leyton Orient atBootham Crescent, ko 3pm. Nationwide League Division Three.