Ten-man City counted out

Nationwide League, Division 2, at Bootham Crescent

Attendance: 5,744; Weather: Biting chill, calm

The red mist that had robbed City of FA Cup glory of their own returned to haunt the Minstermen against title-chasing and cup heroes Preston North End.

City striker Richard Cresswell is closely guarded by Preston defender Gary Parkinson.

Back in December, City had every reason to feel hard done by after perishing 2-1 in their second round tie at Wrexham.

Both Martin Reed and Mark Tinkler were given their marching orders on that fateful day - Tinkler in controversial circumstances after being judged to have deliberately hand-balled a goal bound shot.

You cannot blame a lack of luck for City's or Tinkler's ill fortune on Saturday - a player who raises his hands at an opponent deserves to see red - but the ten bravehearts that battled on for 45 minutes deserved better.

City had been well on course to, if not wreak revenge on Preston following the 3-0 defeat on the opening day of the season, restore some pride with a point against the title challenging rivals from across the Pennines.

After their FA cup heroics against Arsenal last week, Preston appeared desperate to rid themselves of the nightmare that had seen them lose 4-2 after taking a two goal lead over the double-winners.

As City struggled to maintain possession, Preston's neat passing and switching of play looked a class above in the opening exchanges.

Striker Jon Macken saw his floating cross-cum-shot clip the bar from an acute angle as early as the third minute.

But gradually City settled as Scott Jordan and Tinkler began to get a grip on the centre of midfield.

Richard Cresswell blazed a volley over the bar and then, after good work by Cresswell and Gary Himsworth found Wayne Hall in space, his near perfect cross was glanced inches wide by the robust Rodney Rowe.

But it was hardly fluent stuff.

Defences were ruling the day, not least the twin pillars of Barry Jones and Tony Barras at the heart of the City defence, and Preston's defensive linchpin Colin Murdoch who was giving Cresswell few sightings of goal.

City seemed to be suffering a cup hangover of their own - from the hardly heroic 4-2 defeat at the hands of third division Halifax Town in the Auto Windscreens Shield.

The game, without any goal mouth action of note, was threatening to become a non-event as both sides looked short of ideas and too often resorted to the long, hopeful ball into the channels.

Such a tactic nearly reaped reward for City, however, when a long clearance out of defence by Himsworth sent Cresswell away.

But Preston 'keeper David Lucas was off his line quicker than an Olympic sprinter from his blocks to clear the danger.

Moments later the same two City players combined again in copybook fashion.

This time Lucas was forced to retreat allowing Cresswell enough time to get in a shot but his delicate side foot effort went the wrong side of the post.

The match had promised so much - free-scoring Preston looking to get their promotion push back on track while City, with play-off plans of their own, entering the fray following a promising festive season - but was delivering very little.

As half-time beckoned, this War of the Roses was crying out for a spark to ignite it. Cue Tinkler.

The half-time teas were already being poured when the City midfielder appeared to catch Michael Appleton late and from behind.

Contact or not, referee Mike Jones reached for his pocket for a foul that would surely have only warranted yellow.

But Tinkler, clearly incensed by something Appleton said, shoved Preston's record signing in the chest.

After both players were separated referee Jones took the unusual step of brandishing two yellow cards and then a red before ordering Tinkler down the tunnel.

The spark had been lit.

As is often the case, the ten-men of City came out for the second-half inspired. It was backs to the wall stuff.

Rowe had been replaced by Martin Garratt as Alan Little looked to minimise the space in midfield for Preston to exploit and the tactic seemed to have worked.

The now rampaging Cresswell was positively revelling in his lone role.

Thriving on the responsibility, he forced Preston onto the back foot with a series of probing runs while the City defence rolled up their sleeves and dug in.

Jordan and Garratt started to snap in midfield and suddenly City weren't just looking to hold on for a point but seemed intent on snatching all three.

On 54 minutes Gordon Connelly hit City's first shot on target, which was comfortably saved by Lucas, before Cresswell, turning and teasing Murdoch, saw two efforts all of his own making sail just over the North End cross bar.

Then, out of nothing, disaster.

Sure, Preston had looked occasionally threatening - Mimms had saved with his legs from goal king Kurt Nogan moments into the second half - but the goal was the Lilywhite's first real clear-cut chance. Appleton picked the ball up in midfield, fed the busy Macken whose defence splitting pass released Nogan in space.

The man who had fired two past the mighty Arsenal just days earlier needed no second opportunity and coolly side-footed the ball past Mimms from 18 yards.

It was a cruel blow which knocked the wind from City sails.

Little replaced Connelly with Tolson in a bid to get something from the match but the damage had been done.

Preston, perhaps realising their luck, were content to pepper the City goal with a series of long range efforts while Jordan's weak shot in the final minutes was as much that a disheartened City could muster.

MATCH NOTES

3min: Kurt Nogan releases Jon Macken down the right and his cross clips the City cross bar before going behind for a goal kick.

4min: Bobby Mimms' goal kick is knocked down into the path of Richard Cresswell by Rodney Rowe but City's top scorer blazes his volley high and wide.

10min: Rowe glances header wide after teasing cross from Wayne Hall.

24min: Macken intercepts Mark Tinkler's pass. His low cross is cleared only as far as Paul McKenna on the edge of the City box but his fierce drive flies wide.

25min: Colin Murdoch booked for upending Rowe on the halfway line as City threaten a break.

30min: David Eyres' corner is headed clear by Gordon Connelly only for the ball to land at the feet of Macken, who shoots over the bar.

42min: Long clearance by Gary Himsworth sends Cresswell through on goal but under pressure from Preston defenders the City marksman side-foots wide as 'keeper David Lucas retreats.

45min: Tinkler reacts angrily as he is about to be booked for a late challenge on Michael Appleton and pushes the Preston midfielder in the chest. Referee Mike Jones brandishes the red card at the City midfielder.

48min: Mimms saves with his legs as Nogan lets fly following a mistake from Himsworth.

54min: Connelly shot comfortably saved by Lucas. City's first effort on target.

58min: Cresswell turns on the edge of the Preston area but his chip sails over the bar.

66min: Murdoch escapes a red card after pulling down Cresswell on the edge of the Preston penalty area. Wayne Hall's curling free-kick goes over.

71min: Macken releases Nogan with a defence splitting pass and he side-foots the ball past the advancing Mimms. 0-1.

90min: A long range effort from Eyres is gathered at the second attempt by Mimms.

TAP & SPILE MAN OF THE MATCH

Richard Cresswell.

The much sought after striker was largely anonymous in the first-half but showed his true value when City were reduced to ten men and he was forced to plough a lone furrow up front. Did not shirk his responsibilities and never stopped running for lost causes.

FANS' PANEL 1998-9

Alex Bedingham, age 15

He may not have deserved a red card for the actual foul, but he did himself no favours by the way he reacted when the referee went to caution him.

Ruth Reynolds, age 37

For a combination of a foul and retaliation, he should be sent off. But it did not look like he touched the Preston player. The Preston player over-reacted, and then something must have been said to Tinkler.

David Ellis, age 14

Tinkler should only have been given a yellow card. There was no need to jump into the tackle like he did, but the referee should not have given him the second yellow card

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