Darlington 2, York City 2

ONE THAT GOT AWAY: York City keeper Bobby Mimms, anxiously watched by team-mates Barry Conlon and Matt Hocking, wonders where the ball has gone as the Minstermen defend a Darlington corner at Feethams last night

York City manager Neil Thompson saluted his passion-packed team after coming within a whisker of inflicting the first home defeat of the season on high-flying Darlington.

A bolt from the blue howitzer by John Williams in the 88th minute snatched a point for City but it could very nearly have been all three only for Marc Williams' injury time effort to smack back off the inside of the post.

Last night's 2-2 draw means City have still to taste victory in nine games and have picked up just four points from a possible 24.

But while conceding his side had enough chances to win a thrilling encounter, Thompson hailed City's never-say-die show as their best performance of the season.

Darlington manager David Hodgson said he would have had few arguments if City had taken all three points and commented: "Thank God there was a goal post there.

"If I was Neil Thompson I would be disappointed to be going home with just one point."

With fresh injuries forcing him to send out a patched-up team at fortress Feethams, made worse by the loss of Steve Agnew midway through the second half, Thompson had nothing but praise for his under-fire side.

"We had a lot of passion a lot of purpose and I thought the lads were terrific," said Thompson, who sat out last night's match with a troubled calf while Wayne Hall failed an 11th hour fitness test with a thigh strain.

"People didn't expect us to get anything here but we got something and we should have had a bit more.

"We certainly had the more clear-cut chances and we caused a lot of problems against a team who are flying high. I think we have shown that if you put your effort in you get your rewards.

"We have put two performances in now back to back where we haven't won, but the performances have been better and this was certainly an improvement on Saturday's showing.

"We have got to take it on now, it is only two games and we know we need that win, but we had a right go which was pleasing and it was pleasing to see them playing with a smile on their faces and looking as though they were enjoying it."

Thompson applauded Martin Reed, who came into the side at left back for his first senior start since April last year.

"Martin has done quite well in the reserves and certainly on a pitch like this he was one we looked to. He came in and did a good job."

The match only got a final go ahead at 4.30pm yesterday after a second pitch inspection by referee Graham Laws.

Towards the end the much maligned Feethams surface, covered by a fair sprinkling of sand, was cutting-up badly.

But Thompson praised City for adapting to the poor conditions.

"It is a tough pitch to play on but if you play it in the right areas as we showed you can create problems and every ball we put into the box caused problems for them."

The only blemish on City's night was the sight of Agnew being stretchered off.

"He has done his ankle, he had a couple of bumps on it, " confirmed Thompson. "It is disappointing because Steve has had a stop-start season and he has got a bit of quality about him, but we will see how he is over the next few days leading up to the weekend."

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