York City 1, Middlesbrough 3 : Alan Little testimonial at Bootham Crescent

Apart from the 3-1 scoreline it was a night of wish fulfilment for York City.

Fans got a long-awaited glimpse of Gazza in the very flesh at Bootham Crescent, even for only 45 minutes.

The home legion drooled yet more at seeing former heroes Jon McCarthy and Paul Barnes back in City colours, albeit briefly and in green to boot.

City boss Alan Little, in whose benefit the game was staged to commemorate ten years of diligent and unswerving duty to the City cause, was blessed by a bumper crowd to provide a financial fillip.

But arguably the biggest wish that was realised for the manager was that the teams at almost opposite ends of football's widening spectrum produced a competitive game.

Back in his own hey-day Little was nothing if not combative and committed. He would have dreaded a stroll in the park. A cake-walk commemoration would have made him blanch.

So, it was fitting the two rivals should strive to thrive without resorting to exhibition stuff. It was far from high-octane content, but there was endeavour and enterprise and a professional pride, whereby City wanted to show 'em, while Boro sought to underscore their higher status.

That superior feeling surfaced mostly in the first-half when the game was under the spell of Paul Gascoigne.

Leaner and trimmer than his ill-fated clout of Africa sortie that led to his World Cup dumping by Glenn Hoddle, Gazza's 45-minute Crescent showing was exemplary.

There was nothing flash, nor much in the way of frills. But every touch of the ball was sure, every pass measured, every surge well-timed. And a thigh-controlled, then volleyed pass some 40 yards from middle to left was just sublime.

Yet before Andy Campbell's waspish finish in the 11th minute to put Boro ahead City's Richard Cresswell had had one shot blocked by Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

Cresswell, maintaining his brisk pre-season form before a bang of heads with Vladimir Kinder led to his substitution, beat a hesitant Schwarzer with a 23rd minute header from Mark Tinkler's lofted pass from deep to equalise.

Though Campbell quickly restored Boro's lead and Colombian Hamilton Ricard added a stoppage-time strike, City were not disgraced.

Hope continues to spring from the wing-back system that prompts more passing and movement, while youngsters Cresswell, Martin Garratt and Alan Pouton impress. And days of York yore were re-kindled with Barnes menacing in the area beneath the Shippo and McCarthy flying down the wing.

If there is a criticism, then it's the lack of goals from the abundant possession. The big wish now is that problems posed for a Premier defence will be translated into plunder come August 8.

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