IF BRITTLE, punch-drunk York City were a prize-fighter they'd be a promoter's dream.

Just as fight-fans go to see a knockout, football supporters go to see goals and there's certainly been no shortage in recent matches.

'Goals guaranteed' would be an apt Minstermen moniker for those on the hard sell.

Eighteen in four matches offers value for money in anyone's book - it's just a shame more than half have come at the wrong end.

When teams leak like City do the problems are obvious and manager Terry Dolan is acutely aware of City's defensive frailties.

But another problem running alongside the propensity to concede is City's nasty knack of pressing the self-destruct button.

At least five times this season City, after conceding one goal, have conceded a second moments later.

Opposition sides go from having their noses in front to being home and dry in the bat of an eyelid.

It was the same old story on Saturday but worse, for not long after Kidderminster had gone 2-0 up they scored a third to all but kill the game.

In many ways and maintaining the boxing parallel, City resemble a prize-fighter with a suspect chin.

On Saturday City began up on their toes, circling the opposition and delivering a couple of range-finding jabs before whoosh, they were felled by a crunching right-hook that no one saw coming.

A still groggy City clambered to their feet but were pushed and pulled around the ring before taking to the canvas a couple more times.

If it had been a boxing contest the fight would have been stopped there and then.

As it was City were able to clear their head and made a decent fist of the remaining contest.

But the damage had already been done. Adie Smith started the goal fest, lashing the ball into the roof of the net from the edge of the penalty area.

City had a right to feel aggrieved and not just because the goal came against the run of play.

The ball looked to have gone behind for a goal kick but Scott Stamps, unlike the City defence, didn't wait for the referee's whistle and delivered the cross that eventually found its way to Smith.

If there were doubts about Kidderminster's opening salvo there could be none about their second just four minutes later.

Stamps was again involved, his slide-rule pass into the old inside left position did for both Darren Edmondson and Barry Jones to leave Ian Foster in the clear.

The striker drew Fettis before slotting the ball into the opposite corner of the goal.

Scorer Foster turned provider 12 minutes later when he crossed for Smith to score his second of the match.

It was another dreadful goal for City to concede. Fettis could have perhaps come and claimed the cross but last man Wayne Hall also reacted too slowly to avert the danger at the far post.

Alex Mathie's immediate introduction for the muted Neil Tarrant certainly livened City up and the striker played a crucial role in Bullock's rapid response.

David McNiven couldn't quite reach the Scottish striker's through-ball but his outstretched boot was enough to distract Kidderminster 'keeper Stuart Brock.

The ball bounced of his knees and into the path of Bullock, who was able to pass the ball into an empty net for his second goal in as many games.

In truth, City were already capsized. Having let in too much water they were all but sunk.

Bullock's goal threw a lifeline but one that City, despite a gallant second-half attempt, could not grasp.

Kidderminster had their chances to put the match beyond doubt after the break before the passage of time did.

Fettis produced an outstanding one-handed save to deny John Durnin's powerful header then got down well to deny substitute Paul Webb's downward effort.

Fellow replacement Neil MacKenzie's 30-yard howitzer threatened to sweep up all-comers into its slipstream as it just cleared the bar.

But City could point to a number of well-worked, clear-cut opportunities that could, should have been taken.

Bullock nearly grabbed his and City's second but screwed his effort wide, while Kevin Hulme looped a header wide of the post then saw another well saved by Brock down low at his near post.

Graham Potter curled a 25-yard free-kick around the wall and post before Hulme slipped at the vital moment with the goal at his mercy.

A surging run from the midfielder put McNiven in the clear but with options a plenty the striker elected to chip Brock.

It beat the 'keeper but unfortunately for City the bar too, likewise an effort from Chris Iwelumo when the striker went for pace over precision.

Had the score been 0-0 no doubt City would have been pleased with their second-half showing.

It wasn't and so they can't be.

Promise, especially without an end product, is of no use when you have already shot yourself in the foot three times over.

City's limp is becoming an all too familiar sight.

City Match Facts

Football League Division Three

Saturday, November 25, 2000

Kidderminster 3, York City 1

York City: Alan Fettis 7, Darren Edmondson 6, Barry Jones 5, Matt Hocking 5 (Martin Reed HT 6), Wayne Hall 6 (Kevin Hulme 54 min 7), Scott Jordan 6, Lee Bullock 6, Graham Potter 6, Chris Iwelumo 5, David McNiven 6, Neil Tarrant 5 (Alex Mathie 30min 7)

Subs, not used: Russ Howarth, Steve Agnew

Bookings: Edmondson (dissent) 14 mins

Sent off: None

Scorers: Bullock (35 mins)

KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS: Stuart Brock, Ian Clarkson (Paul Webb 60mins), Scott Stamps, Mark Shail, Craig Hinton, Adie Smith, Ian Bogie (Neil MacKenzie 60mins), Barry Horne, Andy Ducros (Stuart Hadley 73mins), John Durnin, Ian Foster

Subs, not used: Tim Clarke, Tony Bird

Bookings: Shail (ungentlemanly conduct) 56 mins, Durnin (unsporting conduct) 62 mins,

Sent off: None

Scorers: Smith (14 mins, 30 mins), Foster (18 mins)

Evening Press/Unique Pub Man of the Match: Alex Mathie

On a difficult day to pick a man of the match, Mathie just about deserved it for rarely wasting what possession he enjoyed.

Match Stats:

Kidderminster

Half-time 3

Corners 10

Shots on target 8

Fouls committed 15

York

Half-time 1

Corners 2

Shots on target 5

Fouls committed 14

Attendance: 2,602

Referee: Phil Joslin (Newark)

City's next match: Saturday, Dec 5: York City v Shrewsbury at Bootham Crescent, ko 3pm. Football League Division Three.