WHEN retired Premiership official Jeff Winter spots a refereeing mistake then you know an obvious blunder must have occurred.

Winter, not immune from the odd footballing faux-pas himself during years as a top-flight whistle-blower, was the assessor at last night's City home clash with Accrington Stanley and agreed with all right-thinking spectators in the 2,272 crowd that Guisborough official Mark Tilling's decision to send off goalkeeper Chris Porter was a baffling one.

If he was unable to rely on the referees' union for support, Mr Tilling was never going to court favour with Minstermen supporters after his abysmal 20th-minute decision and left the Bootham Crescent pitch with boos ringing in his ears after a chorus of "1-0 to the referee".

At least it made a change from the players being barracked with City's fans appreciating, despite a fourth defeat in five games, the improved commitment and effort from a side that were reduced to ten men.

In fact, Porter's red card may have contributed to a more encouraging display with City seemingly spurred on by a sense of injustice.

Perhaps also, the fact that they were no longer expected to win a game, considered crucial to the future of manager Chris Brass, had a pressure-relieving effect.

City simply rolled their sleeves up and battled for their manager and will need to show that same determination at Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday to ensure Brass' tenure, currently under review, becomes more secure.

They will also need to add some quality as grit only gets a team so far but, after the recent on-field traumas, it has to be one step at a time and last night's was made in the right direction.

The defence certainly looked more solid with Brass returning to the centre in place of Chris Clarke and Dave Merris being preferred to Shaun Smith at left-back.

Merris was full of energy and enthusiasm for the Minstermen in his first start of the season and was only pipped to the man-of-the-match honours by a mature performance by teenage goalkeeper David Stockdale, who could not have made his home debut in more difficult circumstances.

Porter's dismissal completed Stockdale's elevation from third-choice stopper to first-team duty in the space of four days but he rose to the occasion, kicking and handling well, making a string of fine saves and showing astute positional sense.

Whether he should have been on the pitch, however, is a matter that should not even be up for debate.

Tilling's decision to send Porter for an early bath was an appalling one.

The former Darlington goalkeeper was only given his chance between the sticks because of Paul Crichton's spat with fans at Gravesend and suspension from the club but his return was short-lived.

Accrington midfielder Ian Craney and Brass chased a long ball upfield and, as Porter charged off his line, City's player-boss lobbed it over his goalkeeper and retained possession.

In the meantime, there may have been marginal contact between Craney and Porter but, with Brass the covering defender and in control of the ball, the notion that City's goalkeeper had prevented a clear goalscoring opportunity appeared a ridiculous one.

But Mr Tilling laid himself open to ridicule and inevitable abuse when he brandished his red card.

City had, until then, appeared comfortable with Paul Groves going close with a deflected shot from the edge of the area and Brass forcing Jon Kennedy into his only save of the night after meeting Darren Dunning's free-kick with his chest.

But Tilling's intervention immediately put a different slant on the match.

Ex-City midfielder Rory Prendergast clipped the crossbar with the consequent free-kick and Stockdale was required to show sharp reflexes to keep out two Stuart Howson headers before the break.

Skipper Steve Davis also threw out an outstretched leg to deny Paul Mullin a clear shot on goal.

Mullin, however, did get on the scoresheet 11 minutes into the second half when the ball spun invitingly and fortuitously into his firing range after a deflected Stephen Jagielka shot and he volleyed past Stockdale into the roof of the net from six yards.

Accrington's numerical advantage then became more evident as they retained possession more efficiently with the introduction of vastly-experienced former Wolves and Coventry midfielder Paul Cook a key factor.

Stockdale palmed a firm volley from Cook into the air and then tipped Craney's low drive around a post.

He also prevented Mullin from adding to his personal tally with two more saves.

City sent on lively substitutes Lev Yalcin and Paul Robinson in a concerted search for an equaliser but Groves missed the best chance, heading over from Kevin Donovan's cross.

Porter 6, Law 7, Davis 7, Brass 7, Merris 8, Donovan 6, Groves 6, Dunning 6, Stewart 6 (Stockdale 20, 8), Bishop 6 (Robinson 72), Nogan 6 (Yalcin 69, 7)

Subs (not used): Pearson, Davies

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

Star man:

Stockdale - rose to a difficult occasion on his home debut. Showed good positional sense, kicked well and made a string of saves.

Accrington Stanley: Kennedy, Cavanagh, Howson, Williams, Bimson, Jagielka, Craney (James, 78), Brannan, McEvilly, Prendergast (Cook, 56), Mullin. Subs not used: Alcock, Howarth, Banim.

Yellow cards: None.

Red cards: Porter 19min.

Referee: Mark Tilling (Guisborough). Rating: Shocking decision to send Porter off overshadowed any positive aspects in the rest of his performance and there weren't many anyway.

Attendance: 2,272.

Weather watch: Cool but dry evening as Autumn approaches.

Game breaker: Controversial Porter dismissal turned game on its head.

Match rating: The committed display Chris Brass has been calling for but did not get the result it warranted.

Updated: 11:02 Wednesday, September 01, 2004