Back from the dead

On the biggest weekend of domestic sport, pulse-stirring York City hammered out their most crucial win of the season.

Mob happy: A beaming Neil Tolson congratulates caretaker player-manager Neil Thompson on his dramatic winner while referee Mark Cowburn tries to get the pair back to the centre circle to restart the game

High fliers: City's Mark Tinkler (right) and Rodney Rowe come off second best in their aerial encounter with Millwall pair Tim Cahill (centre) and Stuart Nethercott

To the hosts the celebrations, which acclaimed caretaker-manager Neil Thompson's scintillating stoppage-time seizure of all three points, could not have been exceeded by a Grand National conquest, an FA Cup semi-final success, a Grand Prix victory.

Beating Millwall was akin to all three and more to the Bootham Crescent clan. Lest anyone doubt such a claim they only need reflect on the weekend fortunes of the Second Division's strugglers.

Had City not posted their first home win for almost four months the Minstermen would now be languishing bang in the realm of the drop.

Results around and below City favoured the toilers. Of the bottom nine clubs, excluding City, six triumphed, two drew and only one - Lincoln City - perished. That's how precarious anything less than a maximum haul at Bootham Crescent would have been.

But didn't City go about it the most harrowing, heart-stopping way.

With just over three minutes to go the hosts were 1-0 in deficit. A club record sixth successive home reverse was staring grim reaper-like into City's face.

While the Lions were bound for Wembley in just under a week's time in the Auto Windscreens Shield final, City's destination was the deep doo-doo of doom in the domain of the descent.

Despite dominating their London visitors, despite emphatic ownership of the Lions' share of play, despite more chances, including a rare penalty failure by battling boss Thompson, than had been witnessed in the previous two games, City were on the ropes. The crunch of the canvas beckoned.

But with the fortitude of the fearless, the Minstermen in red launched an intense and immense recovery.

Not just one goal in the last few minutes, but two priceless examples of opportunism to genuinely revive the hope York can avoid being yanked into the basement.

The overbearing outcome was no more than the hosts deserved. For once they cast off their self-knotted home shackles to play with a rare spirit and zest.

Before half an hour had passed goal-bound efforts from Scott Jordan and Rodney Rowe had been smuggled off the goal-line; Marc Williams had forced a smart save from goalkeeper Ben Roberts; and to cap it all City had squandered a spot-kick.

In Thompson's defence it was less a case of missing than the penalty being saved. After Rowe's trickery had befuddled two markers to then be tripped by Ricky Newman it was a formality Thompson would rifle his six goal of the season.

His execution was as high-voltage as ever, but Roberts leapt right to glove the venom-tinged shot for a corner. It was even more stunning than Bobby Mimms' one-handed diversion of Paul Ifill's whiplash drive on to an upright shortly before.

That was an uncommon Millwall assault as they had been reduced to a pallid force as chewing-gum grey as their shorts by City's pressure.

Rowe, all sways and swivels, was central to the City mastery, as was Martin Garratt, who dazzled down the left. Only too fierce a pass from Rowe denied Garratt a clear shot on goal.

But soon after Millwall's one-time Arsenal striker Paul Shaw latched on to indecision at the near-post to scuff home a cross from Neil Harris, who zipped past Thompson, Garratt was replaced.

City's need of an extra forward was self-evident, but Garratt appeared harshly treated as he had been the pick of a moderate midfield.

But it had the desired effect. Afforded more of a central patrol Alan Pouton initiated a run of mesmeric class that took him 60 yards into the Millwall penalty-area. Impudently he flicked a cross with the outside of his right foot, Rowe applying a thumping header into the net.

Mimms excelled again to thwart Stephen Reid, while Roberts was the barrier to Chris Fairclough's monumental header in the 90th-minute. A draw was the likely outcome.

But in the time added on for the treatment to a flurry of Millwall casualties, prompting several 'southern softies' outbursts, Thompson led by exemplary example.

Rampaging forward he fed Mark Tinkler, whose instant return bounced high enough for the 'gaffer' to clip the ball beyond Roberts. The unattainable had been gained, the improbable is now back on after the weekend that was.

Match Facts

8min: Scott Jordan's header is nodded off the goal-line by Gerard Lavin.

17min: Goalkeeper Ben Roberts' hands are stung by Marc Williams' drive.

24min: Smart one-handed save from Bobby Mimms foils Paul Ifill.

26min: Roberts brilliantly paws away rasping Neil Thompson penalty.

27min: Bobbling Rodney Rowe shot is shunted off line again by Lavin.

45min: Martin Garratt races into space, but Rowe's intended pass is too heavy.

57min: Roberts gets right behind full-blooded drive from Thompson.

70min: Sharp reflexes from Roberts deny Rowe's stab.

71min: Millwall's Paul Shaw bundles the ball in from close range. 0-1.

87min: Alan Pouton's glorious 60-yard run and cross is met by fierce Rowe header into the corner. 1-1.

88min: Mimms bends back to tip unmarked Stephen Reid's powerful nod over the crossbar.

90min: Chris Fairclough cannot believe it as Roberts somehow beats down his point-blank header.

90min: Well into stoppage time Thompson's wall pass with Mark Tinkler ends with the caretaker-manager jabbing the ball in to the delight of the City fans. 2-1.

Half time: York City 0, Millwall 0

Shots on target: York City 10, Millwall 5

Corner kicks: York City 7, Millwall 6

Weather: Cooler than a dance-floor rejection

Tap and Spile Man of the match

Chris Fairclough. For the second week running was ruled as City's defensive emperor and enforcer at Bootham Crescent. His influential organisation enough to shade inspirational 'gaffer' Neil Thompson.

Fans' panel 1998-99

Did you think York City were going to win?

Matt McCartney, Age 20

When Neil Thompson had that penalty saved I thought it's not going to happen. Even at 1-1 I didn't think we'd win. Now if we beat Northampton we've got a decent chance.

Garry Cummings, Age 41

Definitely not. I didn't think we were going to get another win all season. We had enough chances to win two games, but some players had fire in their bellies, some didn't.

Ruth Reynolds, Age 38

Not after Millwall scored, I didn't. Up to then I thought it would be 0-0, but we gave away a sloppy goal. We never have a classic scored against us. Still, it was good to win.

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