A MEASURE of York City's progress during the first week of the new season can be taken from the glum faces that climbed on to the team coach after Saturday's 1-1 draw at Grays Athletic.

None, of course, were sterner than that of sent-off skipper Mark Hotte, whose rash last-minute foul gave Grays the opportunity to snatch a point from the penalty spot and cancel out Andy Bishop's goal.

Recriminations, however, have to be placed in the context of seven days in which modest expectations about the side's fortunes this season have given way to cautious optimism.

Billy McEwan's men have been the better and fitter side in each of their first three outings and Saturday's test was arguably their hardest yet.

Grays had beaten their previous visitors Gravesend and Northfleet 6-1 but the Minstermen showed no trepidation at the Recreation Ground.

They attacked their hosts from the start - hitting the cross bar after just 46 seconds - and reproduced the same counter-attacking spirit that was in evidence at Southport, suggesting that fast-breaking City will be difficult to contain on their travels this season.

Clayton Donaldson's pace is definitely a useful attribute to exploit at away grounds and it was the former Hull City striker's athletic attempt with the outside of his boot that rattled the Grays crossbar in the very first minute.

Moments later, another burst of speed from Donaldson saw him prod the ball past goalkeeper Ashley Bayes but home defender John Nutter just managed to clear the ball as the 21-year-old striker bore down on him and an otherwise unguarded net.

David McGurk then rose unchallenged to meet Darren Dunning's perfectly-delivered free-kick but headed wide.

At the other end, however, midfielder John Martin should have found the net after twice ghosting untracked into the visitors' penalty box.

Martin, who netted a hat-trick against Gravesend, was first denied by a reflex, fingertip save by Chris Porter but then stabbed wide with only the City keeper to beat on 19 minutes.

Instructions were relayed on to the pitch for Mark Convery to prevent future Martin raids and, with his threat nullified, City began to impose their authority on the game.

Dunning, Darren Mansaram and Donaldson all went close to breaking the deadlock before Bishop netted his first goal of the season six minutes after entering the action.

Donaldson's low cross from the left found Bishop in the penalty box but his chances of a goal appeared to depreciate the longer he dallied trying to work an opening.

After Bishop saw his first attempt blocked, however, last season's 12-goal leading marksman sidefooted accurately into Bayes' bottom left-hand corner from eight yards when he was presented with a second opportunity.

Grays, who like City were hoping to maintain their unbeaten start to the season, then adopted a more direct approach in the final ten minutes.

McGurk and Hotte both made potentially goal-saving blocks before Dennis Oli tested Porter with a free-kick and then aimed straight at the City 'keeper when Nathan Peat lost possession trying to play his way out of his own penalty box.

Striker Joe O'Neill, who worked hard without the same reward he enjoyed during his hat-trick heroics at Southport, squandered a great opportunity to settle City's nerves on 90 minutes when he leant back and lifted a tired effort over the bar from 15 yards.

Seconds later, home substitute Jamie Slabber escaped the attentions of Hotte just outside the six-yard box and, as the former Tottenham trainee prepared to shoot, he was hauled down by the City captain.

A reckless challenge had earlier earned Hotte a 27th-minute yellow card and referee David Phillips had twice displayed leniency towards the defender when he committed fouls often worthy of a second caution.

This time, the decision looked a formality and Mr Phillips reached for his yellow and red cards straight after pointing to the spot.

Home captain Stuart Thurgood confidently despatched his penalty to Porter's left and City were left deflated but, importantly, still undefeated.

Grays Athletic 1 (Thurgood pen 90), York City 1 (Bishop 69)

Porter 7, Price 7, McGurk 8, Hotte 6, Mansaram 6 (Bishop 63m 7), Panther 7, Convery 7, Dunning 8, O'Neill 7 (Merris 90m, Donaldson 8

Key: 10 - Faultless; 9 - Outstanding; 8 - Excellent; 7 - Good; 6 - Average; 5 - Below par; 4 - Poor; 3 - Dud; 2 - Hopeless; 1 - Retire

Subs (not used): Mallon, Stewart, Afandiyev

Star man: Donaldson - his pace terrorised Grays in the first half and he supplied the cross for Bishop's goal.

Grays Athletic: Bayes, Sambrook, Stuart, Matthews, Nutter, Poole, Thurgood, Martin, Hooper (Slabber, 59), Oli, Battersby (Kightly, 78). Subs not used: Brennan, Eyre, Bruce.

Yellow cards: Hotte 27, Stuart 45, Slabber 65, Bishop 69, Hotte 90.

Referee: Dave Phillips (West Sussex). Rating: odd questionable decision but generally good.

Attendance: 1,272.

Weather watch: Mild afternoon with a slight breeze.

Game breaker: Hotte's regrettable challenge.

Match rating: Entertaining spectacle played at a quick tempo with a nail-biting then sickening finale for City fans.

McEwan's verdict: "We have got to be more ruthless in front of goal because we could have been sitting handy at half-time."

Player watch: Darren Mansaram

Shots on target: 0

Shots off target: 1

Passes to own player: 3

Passes to opposition: 5

Crosses to own player: 0

Crosses to opposition: 0

Pass success rate: 37.5 per cent

Dribbles ball retained: 0 Dribbles ball lost: 3

Dribble success rate: 0 per cent

Fouls won: 1 Fouls conceded: 2 Headers: 10 Tackles: 2

Clearances, blocks and interceptions: 0

Bookings: 0

Final summary: The on-loan striker was on the periphery of the action before being replaced on 63 minutes. Despite playing on the left wing, he did not supply one cross and he will be disappointed with his distribution and inability to retain the ball. His one shot also failed to trouble Grays' goalkeeper Bayes.

Updated: 11:40 Monday, August 22, 2005