Rust ensnared York City reserves as they careered to their first defeat in the Pontin's League Cup.

The City ranks were blown well of course by a spirited Hull City visitors, who deservedly won 2-0 at gale-lashed Bootham Crescent.

But while conceding the hosts were second-best, manager Alan Little was satisfied a posse of players, who had not played since well before Christmas, had come through a competitive match.

At the top of that list was playmaker Steve Agnew, having his first outing for more than a month. He figured for just over an hour against the Tigers.

Said Little: "Agnew has been out a long while and he will need at least another game in the reserves but he can be considered for a first-team return.

"As a team we were generally rusty and we deserved to get beat. But some of these players were in desperate need of some action after such a long lay-off."

Meanwhile, Fulham fans roared their side to a memorable FA Cup victory at Craven Cottage last night.

Supporters were locked out of the ground as supporters of York City's second division rivals Fulham answered manager Kevin Keegan's call for a full-house for the third round replay against Southampton.

More than 17,000 turned up and saw a late goal from Barry Hayles dump Keegan's former club out of a major cup competition for the second time this season.

The Cottagers had already accounted for Dave Jones' struggling Saints over two legs in the Worthington Cup and they piled the misery on the south coast club with the 85th-minute goal which secured a fourth round tie at Aston Villa.

Boss Keegan had called on Fulham fans to back Mohamed Al Fayed's ambitious plans to bankroll the club to the top of the English game.

The Londoners were FA Cup finalists in 1975 but have not tasted success for many years and the millionaire chairman has vowed to take them into the Premiership.

Keegan stressed he had wanted too see a response from the fans so everyone at the west London club knew they were heading in the right direction.

Keegan said: "I said I would like to see Craven Cottage full. We need to know that what we are doing here is right and we're not wasting our time."

Fulham are due to face York City at Craven Cottage on Saturday, February 27.

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