City make their fans sweat again

IN FULL FLIGHT: York City defender Chris Fairclough soars above Bournemouth's Steve Fletcher and City player-coach Neil Thompson to win this aerial battle

Outright safety called, but York City failed to respond. Instead, the Minstermen reverted to their 'let's do it the hard way' type.

In the wake of other results among the strugglers just one point from the final home outing against glory-seeking Bournemouth would have been ample to stave off the menace of despairing descent into the basement.

But no, that would have been far too easy, far less demanding, far and away from the club's habit of self-inflicted pressure.

An unimaginative, uninspired display undid the hosts. Rather than polish off the Cherries, City allowed them to blossom, reviving the visitors' play-off tilt while resurrecting misgivings of a last-day lash-up.

City now stare at the Maine attraction, the boldest of missions, the doomsday scenario everyone at the Crescent feared.

Down to the wire York have to extract plunder from their final game of the season in front of a full house crowd at Maine Road against Manchester City.

That hazardous prospect may yet be avoided should any two of Northampton, Oldham or Wycombe - listing just below the Minstermen - fail to win their weekday games in hand before next weekend's climax.

But the manner in which results have twisted, topsy-turvied and tormented in the run-in, few would bank on a three-time bottom of the flops. When this Saturday comes the gossamer-thin safety net will either stay intact or split asunder.

Pre-match expectations at Bootham Crescent hinted at a classic. Awards, acclaim and a new 'stream-lioned' mascot called Yorkie added to the anticipation.

But vintage was replaced by a wince age as a scrappy, fractious encounter scruffily unfolded. With so much at stake for both clubs at either end of the table it was only to be expected.

Almost a full half hour had tiresomely elapsed before the game creaked open. City were energetic from the outset, but it was all snap and no pop against a firm defence in which Bournemouth captain Ian Cox's composure was quickly in evidence.

City fans were at last aroused from spring slumber when Marc Williams and Neil Thompson linked up.

Taking the caretaker-manager's pass Williams turned Neil Young inside out thrashing a fierce shot that goalkeeper Mark Ovendale gloved away before defender Eddie Howe headed on from near an upright. Thompson tore on to the clearance, but the Cherries' 'keeper was back to complete a low save.

Within a minute Bournemouth almost went ahead. Barry Jones and Mark Stein tangled and as Bobby Mimms tried to gather the ball squirmed loose back to Stein. But the Second Division's top scorer showed why he has one goal in the last 11 games rather than 25 all season.

Stein and his ally Steve Robinson were comfortably curbed by Chris Fairclough and Barry Jones, whereas the coveted Cox and his England under-21 cohort Howe had to stretch every sinew to smother the danger of City's scurry-hurry duo of Williams and Rodney Rowe.

City's sharp-end patrollers however had to feed on the measliest of supplies. Neither Alan Pouton, who, if his contract dispute remains unresolved may have figured in his last game at Bootham Crescent, nor Mark Tinkler, were able to fashion any sustained threat. City's best hopes remained with the twinkling feet of Martin Garratt or the thunder-studs of Thompson.

But before either could make an impact the Cherries made an incision sharper than a razor a mere 31 seconds into the second-half.

A through ball was turned across goal by Stein to deflect off Fairclough and fall directly to James Hayter. Unhindered at the post the youngster, who confessed afterwards how he was expecting to be summoned off the pitch by manager Mel Machin, applied a decisive tap-in.

City had no choice but to hare forward, but they continued to show no guile.

Even the first switch to three forwards with Neil Tolson's arrival, and then just three at the back with Craig Skinner's introduction soon after, failed to initiate an injection of craft. It served to increase the harem-scarem approach of it all.

Free-kick ace Thompson was City's best hope. Twice he rammed in drives of trademark venom, but Ovendale clasped one above his head and then dived full-length to his right to finger the other for a corner.

That was as close as the Minstermen got. Now they have to walk the wire across the Pennines to capture the point of gold return.

It's time to get out the calculators...

Three bites of the cherry may yet get York City off the relegation hook.

The defeat of Oldham at Walsall, who clinched promotion alongside Fulham, plus Wycombe's home draw with Blackpool, boosted the Minstermen.

That leaves the three clubs immediately below York - Northampton, Wycombe and Oldham - now having to win their respective games in hand if they are to have any chance of overhauling Neil Thompson's charges.

Northampton today travelled to Chesterfield, while Oldham entertain free-falling Stoke City tomorrow night, and then Wycombe play host to play-off contenders Wigan on Wednesday.

Defeat for any of those three will leave them destined to fight out the drop spots with Lincoln City and Macclesfield on the last day of the season.

OLDHAM had no answer to WALSALL, who, fittingly at their Bescot Stadium, confirmed their ascent with a 3-1 win to join champions FULHAM in Division One next season. It was a stunning finish for the Saddlers, who were favourites for the drop at the outset of the campaign.

Fulham lost 1-0 at BURNLEY.

Down at Adams Park WYCOMBE WANDERERS were twice ahead against BLACKPOOL, but each time were pegged back to squander two precious points in their battle for survival.

LINCOLN CITY revived their hopes with a fine 3-1 win at COLCHESTER, Lee Thorpe twice on target, while bottom placed MACCLESFIELD too enjoyed a rare away-day success, 2-1 winners at LUTON.

A strike eight minutes from time by Ronnie Jepson saw off champions Fulham and ensured Burnley's survival, while top scorers of the day GILLINGHAM battered STOKE CITY 4-0. Defender Guy Butters, who was one of the Gills' marksmen, later missed a penalty.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.