Shield shambles as City slump at Shay

Weather: Precipitous winds and wet stuff

A dustcart proverbially follows the Lord Mayor's show. This was the rubbish wagon.

City centre-back Tony Barras belts the ball clear as Halifax's Dave Hanson moves in to challenge

City's Andy McMillan tackles back in vain as striker Marc Williams whips in his first goal of the night to put the Shaymen 2-1 ahead

York City put the Shay into shame as they frittered away the promise of four good results by 90 minutes of ham-footed defending to crash out of the Auto Windscreens Shield.

Any exit from this much-sniped competition so early is dismissed lightly like a dowager fobbing away an impertinence. Failing that, a fall to basement opposition is regarded more as a means of clearing away any complacency.

But if this defeat is viewed as a kick up the backside then City might be sporting bruises on the seats of their shorts for many a week.This was a humbling exit, even if Wembley is always a distant destination via the Auto route.

In a tie more open than a car boot sale chances rained in, the visitors creating a stack of openings. But City were still out-hustled, out-tackled and eventually out-gunned by inferior opposition.

Apart from spells at the start of each half the Minstermen were largely on the back foot, forced to retreat by Halifax's greater desire and application.

Only a few visitors could be exempt criticism.

Rodney Rowe ran his socks off, causing interminable problems to his minders. Scott Jordan consistently tried to burrow, bluff or barter a way through. But from thereon in Minstermen of note become remote.

Yet against a howling wind and bulleting rain City were brisk and bright in early possession.

Controlled approach-work hinted at a third straight win on opponents' turf, first-time passes cutting through Halifax with Gary Himsworth the main beneficiary on the left.

City looked in little danger until the 16th minute when Tony Barras stretched to cut out Kevin Hulme's penetrating pass. But then responsibility was ignored by all in red. As the ball bobbled about dangerously on the edge of the area Richard Lucas dashed off a stylish finish from 15 yards.

The goal had a predictable effect. The hosts piled forward gung-ho. At least twice they should have added to their lead.

City goalkeeper Bobby Mimms sensibly opted for safety-first, tipping Kieran O'Regan's free-kick over the bar. When he was beaten after Marc Williams waltzed past Tony Barras his low drive was shunted off the line by Barry Jones.

By now the Halifax tackling was of gin-trap snappiness, City unable to break free, their teetering defence more nervous than a Labour government spin doctor.

But for another goal-line clearance from Himsworth to foil Dave Hanson, plus Williams giving a perfect impression of having his boots on the wrong feet, Wembley would have been totally out of reach.

But seconds after Rowe lashed wide, the striker streaked on to a cute glance-down from Richard Cresswell to hoist a leveller over the stranded Tim Carter's head in first-half stoppage-time.

City started the second-half with propulsion and after 22 seconds Rowe was an inch off repeating his feat, his low drive skimming the foot of an upright.

But a one-two counter-punch fatally floored City, Halifax hammering clear with a breath-snatching brace of goals.

As City pressed, an ambitious pass from Andy McMillan was checked. The ball was smashed up to Williams, who this time had radar accuracy in his boots.

Fending off the desperate McMillan his left-foot shot followed a low path into the net. Within two minutes the irrepressible Williams swivelled and volleyed, his effort rattling the crossbar. Up front partner Dave Hanson swooped as others froze, chesting down the rebound and swiping the ball to its target.

City briefly rallied with the introduction of Neil Tolson.

His first touch was a goal after he reacted sharply to tuck away a ball diverted into his path from a vicious Jordan shot. A minute later Tolson was denied by Carter's scrambling save.

But the tie was put beyond doubt when Williams ping-ponged off a calamitous collision between Barras and Jones to slide in his second goal.

Scouts by the dozen had come to watch the vaunted Cresswell, his night more misery than menace as everything he tried did not quite come off.

In the spotlight in his stead was ex-League of Wales striker Williams, who not only eclipsed City's top scorer, but the rest of an under-achieving crew. 'Shayme' on them.

MATCH NOTES

16min: Loose play on the edge tidied up by snap Richard Lucas shot into the net. 1-0.

19min: Free-kick from Kieran O'Regan is tipped over by Bobby Mimms.

23min: Mark Tinkler's rush is blocked by Tim Carter's legs.

32min: Marc Williams weaves past Tony Barras, his low drive guided off line by Barry Jones.

45min: Gary Himsworth clears Dave Hanson's header off line and as Gordon Connelly feeds Rodney Rowe he lashes wide.

45min: Rowe makes amends lofting Cresswell's guided knock-down over Carter. 1-1.

46min: Low Rowe drive scrapes an upright.

61min: Williams swats the ball home. 2-1.

63min: Hanson on target. 3-1.

78min: Substitute Neil Tolson sweeps in deflection. 3-2.

79min: Tolson nod beaten out.

82min: Defensive shambles and Williams profits. 4-2.

90min: Angled Cresswell shot is blocked by Carter.

TAP & SPILE MAN OF THE MATCH

Rodney Rowe:

Battled like a lion throughout the 90 minutes. Was a constant threat to the Halifax defence to demonstrate he is getting back to his most zestful form.

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