Sheer frustration

In an oyster-tight clash York City failed to prise out the pearl of victory.

Floor show: City striker Richard Cresswell (above) hits the deck after a tackle by Reading skipper Chis Casper during Saturday's 1-1 draw at Bootham Crescent.

So as fans trudged home in the fast-freeze air the abiding emotion was of missed opportunity. The hosts had been up against only ten men for the last third of the game, defender Andy Bernal sent off for a crude hack on winger Gordon Connelly.

Just a fortnight before when City had been similarly reduced, then visitors Preston took full advantage of numerical dominance to snaffle a win. The thin line that separated the Minstermen from such a precious outcome was that they did not force the issue as soon as they nosed in front of an absorbing, if not action-crammed game.

It was during a bout of patient keep-ball that they ceded their lead shortly after taking it. That irked the home crowd, yet ironically it was precisely the same sort of assiduous possession that had manufactured Rodney Rowe's fifth goal in seven games.

Frustration all round then, though Reading manager Tommy Burns wore more of a smile bearing in mind their 6-0 caning in their previous outing. Yet for all the money Reading have parted with this season - and it's in the millions - not once did they outclass York.

Royals may be their nickname, but none on the day matched the pedigree or power of Richard Cresswell, the mercury-quick maraudings of Rodney Rowe, nor the swift grace of Martin Garratt. Blessed of balletic balance and trim footwork he nearly snatched a late winner with an almighty blast that almost snapped the crossbar in half.

True Reading almost exploded on to the game. The unfeted Paul Brayson could twice have scored in the opening eight minutes. First, he drew a low save from Bobby Mimms at the foot of an upright and then he squirted the ball wide plainly unnerved by Andy McMillan's challenge.

But after those two early scares City gained their visitors' measure then began to assert authority. Well-timed movement from Cresswell and Rowe peeled them more regularly away from the muscular attention of a three-man spine schooled in the take-no-prisoners academy.

Out wide, Connelly and Wayne Hall advanced so much as to negate sorties from wing-backs Bernal and Byron Glasgow.

Connelly in particular oozed menace zipping several wicked crosses into the danger-zone. One low driven ball from the Scots flier proved City's biggest threat of the first-half, Dutchman Elroy Kromheer skying the ball high, goalkeeper Scott Howie completing the clearance with a punch.

The Royals were a team of three thirds. Bright and brisk in attack and midfield, rustic and robust in defence. But for all the tidiness in possession first-half penetration was conspicuous by its absence. Defences were exercised, not extended.

It almost all changed on the re-start. Garratt galloped through three challenges locating Rowe. But as if hearing a shout from behind the City striker inexplicably allowed the ball to go past.

City endured an even luckier escape. Bernal's beaming cross orbited to Martin Williams, free at the far post. But he contrived to nod the ball fiercely into the Reading fans.

The tempo had increased visibly as did the temperature when wing-back Bernal was red-carded for a raw-boned clattering tackle that left Connelly wincing and the fans baying for the due punishment.

Against the ten men City's following were voicing premature impatience at City not getting the ball in the area quicker. But a movement of sweet passing and selfless off the ball running initiated the desired breakthrough.

Himsworth found Hall, who then picked out Himsworth. A shot beckoned, but he whisked past Chris Casper to the by-line pulling the ball back low for Rowe to tuck away and reinforce his claim to be back to his diamond best. It was, however, City's first shot on target.

But eight minutes later Phil Parkinson's wall-pass with Lee Hodges cracked City's defensive core, the former lashing in a leveller off an upright.

Cue grandstand finish. Cresswell rocketed in a shot scrambled unconvincingly to his chest by Howie; Garratt's Charltonesque pile-driver pummelled the bar; and substitute Alan Pouton announced his arrival after three months out injured with a ingenious chip nodded off the line by Parkinson.

Gutted yes, yet still pearl-less.

Match points

1min: Paul Brayson forces Bobby Mimms into a save low to his right.

8min: Long ball from Grant Brebner frees Brayson, but Andy McMillan's challenge is enough for striker to clip wide.

15min: Fierce cross from Gordon Connelly is skied into the air by Elroy Kromheer.

47min: Martin Garratt picks out Rodney Rowe, but he bizarrely leaves the ball.

51min: Royals' top scorer Martin Williams heads over glorious chance unmarked six yards out.

58min: Andy Gray's first touch is to skim a shot a foot wide.

61min: Andy Bernal sent off for a bruising lunge on Connelly.

71min: Fine interplay between Gary Himsworth and Wayne Hall ends with Rowe sidefooting home. 1-0.

79min: Phil Parkinson plants in a low shot after slicing through the centre of defence. 1-1.

87min: Powerful Cresswell shot is grabbed by goalkeeper Scott Howie as Rowe waits to pounce.

88min: Garratt screamer rattles the Reading crossbar from 30 yards.

90min: Substitute Alan Pouton's cunning lob is headed off the line by Parkinson.

Tap and Spile Man of the Match

Gary Himsworth.

Defensively superb with series of telling tackles and headers. Linked up in attack cleverly with Wayne Hall to pip Martin Garratt and Rodney Rowe to final honours.

Fans' panel 1998-99

Matt McCartney, Age 20

If he can become as consistent as Cresswell, yes I would say he was worth a £1million on potential. But while he was brilliant today I think his best position is out wide left.

Ruth Reynolds, Age 38

He has talent and to say he has just turned professional this season he is doing well. But he has a lot to learn. If someone were to come in for him I would think £700,000.

Julian Holden, Age 32

To be honest not a lot yet. He is certainly justifying Alan Little's faith in him. He is getting there, but he has a long way to go. One thing is I wish he would learn to use his right foot more.

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