When two supposedly in-form sides come head to head rarely does what follow match the sense of anticipation prior to kick-off.

And so it proved at the final whistle of a dour stalemate where goalmouth action was at a premium.

The best that could be said was York City had defended resolutely, kept another clean sheet and moved another vital point closer to safety.

But this was not so much a decisive step as a shuffle.

Perhaps fans have been spoilt by City's uplifting performances of late. And it wasn't that City played particularly badly, they just didn't play well.

Too many players took an extra touch, dallied too long in possession and generally let their standards of recent weeks drop.

The Minstermen had the better of the first half against a Lincoln side seemingly happy to avoid defeat.

The Imps played some composed football at times but whenever they threatened to build up a head of steam they sort of shrugged their shoulders and decided better of it.

Only twice was Alan Fettis called into action, firstly to save at the feet of Tony Battersby and then to pluck a cross off the head of Peter Gain.

In contrast, City had a number of half-decent chances, none better than on five minutes when Lee Nogan seized on a sloppy back pass from Stuart Bimson.

Nogan had time but from a tight angle was denied as Alan Marriott pushed the ball around the post.

Lee Bullock blasted Nogan's knock down on the edge of the area over the bar, Mark Bower glanced a header across the face of goal, and Steve Agnew was unfortunate to see his shot through a crowded Imps' penalty area hacked off the line by Chris Perkins.

Colin Alcide also went close with a rising drive that curled away from the top corner but it was all rather one-paced and lacked the high tempo which has been the hallmark of City's recent revival.

If ever a game needed a goal this was it and at the start of the second half the feeling was City would have to move up a gear to find it.

In truth, they stalled as the second half spawned something of a role reversal and Lincoln had the better of what followed.

Once again, however, and for all the Imps' possession, rarely was Fettis seriously troubled.

Justin Walker sprung the offside trap to fire in a rather weak grubber that was comfortably saved by the City 'keeper before the same player fired in a dipping 30-yard effort that Fettis grabbed at the second attempt.

Lincoln's best chance fell to John Finnigan after another patient Imps' build-up. Gain's cross from the right was nudged on by Lee Thorpe at the near post but from just six yards out and with the goal at his mercy Finnigan lifted the ball over the bar.

City seemed resigned to hoping something might happen rather than trying to make it happen but Terry Dolan at least thought the game was there to be won, withdrawing Alcide for Alex Mathie then replacing Steve Agnew with David McNiven so City had three strikers on the pitch.

The Minstermen looked a tad more threatening as Bullock slammed an effort into the side netting and then Graham Potter had a good shout for a penalty turned down when his cross was clearly handled by Jason Barnett, who fell to the ground holding his head in an effort to con the official.

Referee Mike Cowburn indicated to Barnett to get up, suggesting he wasn't duped by his ploy, but still chose to award a corner.

There was still two more incidents to occur that just about summed up the afternoon.

Richard Cooper picked the ball up on the halfway line and cut in from the right. The youngster ran and ran to make space for a shot but from a promising position just inside the Lincoln box screwed his effort high and mighty.

At the opposite end, Thorpe controlled the ball superbly on his chest but miss-hit his shot so badly that the ball just about trickled into the arms of Fettis.

It was all rather forgettable stuff.

Given City's plight at the wrong end of the table results count more than performances.

But while City have come a long way in their last seven matches, this was a pertinent reminder of just how far they still have to go.

York city 0, Lincoln City 0

York City: Alan Fettis 7, Richard Cooper 6, Barry Jones 7 (Chris Brass 84mins), Matt Hocking 8, Mark Bower 6, Graham Potter 6, Lee Bullock 7, Steve Agnew 7 (David McNiven 80mins), Nick Richardson 6, Lee Nogan 6, Colin Alcide 7 (Alex Mathie 69mins, 6). Subs, not used: Russ Howarth, Gary Hobson. Booked: Bower 78mins (foul), Cooper 82mins (foul). Sent off: None.

Lincoln: Alan Marriott, Chris Perkins, Steve Holmes, Steve Welsh, Stuart Bimson, Paul Smith (Jason Barnett 45mins), Justin Walker, John Finnigan, Peter Gain, Lee Thorpe, Tony Battersby (Paul Miller 88mins). Subs not used: Dave Greenwood, Ben Sedgemore, James Dudgeon. Sent off: None.

Man of the match: Matt Hocking When too many players showed a dip in form Hocking at least maintained the standard of recent weeks

Updated: 13:39 Monday, March 19, 2001