Lessons forgotten, lessons learned as York City skulked to defeat like a schoolboy caught red-handed.

Off target: striker Richard Cresswell, below, latches on to a through ball from Tony Barras but lobs wide of goal. Picture: Garry Atkinson

Actually, City were trapped red-faced, but the embarrassment was nonetheless deep. They were appalling as they extended a fresh slump. After failing to heed the lesson of their previous tussle with Oldham, City are threatening to do the same over the dour experience of this time last year.

Some 12 months ago a position of play-off promise was frittered away by a series of scratched-out draws and botched home losses that shattered any illusions of success and left the Minstermen peering anxiously at the depressing end of the table.

Now City are staring at another depression. Since the swing into 1999 the good form that brought successive wins at Oldham and Wycombe has been replaced by the risible return of just one point from four League games and an Auto Windscreens Shield humbling by Halifax Town. Stress counselling could soon by on the agenda at the Crescent.

Those who had witnessed the clash between the two Roses rivals just a month earlier when City triumphed 2-0 could barely believe their eyes second time around. Where at Boundary Park City stifled the supply to and from pass-master John Sheridan, here he was afforded the freedom of York. In 90 minutes no-one rattled them 34-year-old bones.

Oldham, meanwhile, had benefited from a study of their poor homework of the last days of '98. Now they draped a blue-shirted blanket around top scorer Richard Cresswell. He was so nullified as to stretch his goal-blank to five matches.

No-go Rowe: Rodney Rowe (left) goes flying while the ball stays behind with Stuart Thom watched by Paul Rickers. Picture: Garry Atkinson

On a pitch that boasted both zip and stop - the drizzle-drenched surface flanked by wings of a sago consistency - the game never let up in its buzzsaw tempo.

But the vision of Sheridan was soon acutely conspicuous as Oldham took command after early even-Steven sparring. Short or long, the ex-Leeds maestro's range was impeccable. From his opening promptings the ball whizzed dangerously across the face of the City goal several times.

But after a raking half-volley from Mark Allott, which drew a stunning one-handed flying save from Bobby Mimms, City's defensive beacon Tony Barras surpassed even Sheridan with the ball of the opening exchanges. Spotting a perfectly-timed run from Cresswell,

Barras planted the 50-yard assist into the striker's run. He intuitively lobbed the ball as goalkeeper Gary Kelly advanced at speed, but the effort dropped the wrong side of an upright.

More and more Sheridan reigned as the great dictator, City's flawed stand-off policy allowing the veteran acreage and oodles of time to manouevre. It was a tremendous contrast within the visitors. For while Sheridan ambled, strolled, meandered, his Oldham team-mates scurried and scampered at almost break-neck speed. City, meanwhile, were doing well just to keep up.

Confidence levels dropped further and Oldham's grip increased as City fell prey to their own unforced errors, which too easily conceded possession.

Even Mimms was at it, several of his clearances failing to get above thigh-level and flying to Latics playing Viagra football - they were up for it.

As the first-half wore on City's passing degenerated from the careless to the abjectly poor. It was only a matter of time before Oldham scored. Six minutes from half-time the inevitable arrived.

Sheridan's floated corner to the near post cannoned off Lee Duxbury and then again off team-mate Andrew Holt's head for the opener.

Hubbub at the home dug-out and then delight as a double substitution brought on new striker Martin Carruthers and crowd favourite Alan Pouton, the hosts now boldly going 4-3-3.

Block and tackle: Scott Jordan's shot, right, is charged down by Oldham's John Sheridan, left, and Scott McNiven. Picture: Garry Atkinson

But for all the nursery rhyme huff and puff determination City struggled to pull off the big bad wolf act.

Barring a Cresswell 17-yard stinger, brilliantly saved by Kelly flying through the air, a tame header from the same player straight into the 'keeper's gloves and Pouton's 60-yard run halted by a Shaun Garnett trip, City were all motion, no notion.

New man Carruthers showed neat touches, but they were never enough for a side that has clearly mislaid the plot.

What a difference from the turn of the year when City were in their pomp at Oldham and Wycombe only then to hit a slide propelled by self-destruct.

Match facts

York City 0, Oldham 1

8min: Rodney Rowe seizes on blocked Richard Cresswell shot and smacks a drive saved at second attempt by Gary Kelly.

16min: Agile one-handed save from Bobby Mimms paws away a half-volley from Mark Allott.

19min: Tony Barras' fine through ball prompts lob from Cresswell just wide.

25min: Stinging Allott shot is beaten down by Mimms.

38min: John Sheridan's corner pings off Lee Duxbury and Andrew Holt, the latter's touch going in. 0-1.

43min: Paul Reid's drive from 35 yards whistles just over.

50min: Barras heads over cross from Gary Himsworth.

67min: Great run and cross from Martin Garratt draws fine take from Kelly under pressure from Cresswell.

68min: Kelly soars to his left to finger away Cresswell's snorting shot.

76min: Cresswell fails to get direction on a header from another Himsworth cross.

Tap & Spile Man of the match

Barry Jones. The York captain formed a strong alliance with Tony Barras when at times City were being overrun by Oldham's first-half dominance. Tigerish tackling and brave blocks.

Fans' panel 1998-9

Should City recall Agnew, Tinkler, and Thompson for the visit to Colchester?

Matt McCartney

Age 20

Yes. The young lads have played well but an experienced touch has been missing. Also, Thompson and Agnew are good at set pieces, which was something City lacked against Oldham

Ruth Reynolds

Age 38

They definitely need something to improve on the showing against Oldham. I would bring in Tinkler for Garratt and Thompson would have to replace Himsworth. I'm not a fan of Agnew.

Julian Holden

Age 32

Yes, all three should be recalled. In the absence of the senior players, some of the others have been given a good chance in the team but have not taken it - such as Jordan.

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