DEFEAT against Mansfield on Saturday means York City must beat Lincoln tomorrow night if Chris Brass is to avoid going six matches without a League victory for the first time in his managerial career.

Brass' side have slipped off the play-off pace after taking just one point from a possible 15 in their last five outings.

The Minstermen are now nine points adrift of seventh place and in danger of surrendering a position in the top half of the table for the first time this season.

City's disappointing return from the last five matches has included undeserved defeats against promotion-chasing pair Hull and Huddersfield but, on this occasion, high-flying Mansfield were worthy winners.

"Football's Coming Home" roared out over the tannoy as part of the high-spirited build-up to Saturday's game but, rather than generously helping to continue the celebrations marking City's long-term stay at Bootham Crescent, Keith Curle's men turned the match into a Stags party.

Lee Nogan's spectacular 40-yard strike on 66 minutes - his ninth goal of the season - raised hopes of a comeback after Mansfield had taken a 2-0 lead and Justin Walker and substitute Darren Edmondson both squandered late chances to earn a point but, in truth, City were only still in contention because of a string of fine saves from Mark Ovendale.

Brass left captain Darren Edmondson on the bench and used utility man Richard Cooper as a right wing-back after he was named the club's player of the month for January before the game.

Teenage Turkish youth international Lev Yalcin was also handed his full senior debut with Lee Bullock named as a substitute after returning from his trial with Cardiff last week.

Yalcin showed glimpses of promise before appearing to run out of steam and made way for Bullock on 57 minutes while Edmondson's penetration from the flanks was sorely missed.

Walker, playing in an advanced role supporting the two strikers, did suggest, however, that he could compensate for the absence of Bullock in midfield should the talented 22-year-old decide to head for Wales.

Ovendale made his first breathtaking stop of the match on 27 minutes when he prevented Craig Disley's header from dipping under his crossbar by stretching every sinew to save with his fingertips.

But even Ovendale was powerless two minutes later when talented midfielder Liam Lawrence cut inside Darren Dunning before curling an excellent left-footed shot into the top corner from 25 yards.

Ovendale once more came to the rescue in first half injury-time, sparing spared the blushes of manager Chris Brass. He had allowed an innocuous cross to roll under his boot, leaving Corden with a clear run at goal.

But Ovendale charged quickly off his line to save the left-winger's shot and Richard Pacquette then blazed over an empty net.

That only served as temporary respite for City who fell further behind on 53 minutes when Pacquette profited from the current controversial confusion over the offside law.

The on-loan QPR striker took up an offside position as Lawrence aimed a free-kick into the home penalty box but by the time the ball had been directed on to his head he had at least three defenders between himself and the goal.

Sadly, for City, all three players appeared stunned into inertia by the unusual tactic and failed to make any form of aerial challenge as Pacquette rose to head in off the bar, leading Brass, Chris Smith and Richard Hope to hold an immediate inquest.

But City began to play with more foward thrust in the last half-hour and Nogan levelled the scores with a fifth goal from his last nine starts when he hit a first-time lob into Kevin Pilkington's vacated goal from just inside the touchline after the goalkeeper had fluffed his clearance.

Nogan's arms were aloft celebrating the goal the moment he struck the ball.

Pilkington was fortunate not to be punished for a second mistake when he dropped David Merris' cross on to Bullock's neck but the ball bounced fortuitously back into his hands.

Walker then dragged a good chance wide from 15 yards and substitute Christian Fox fired high and wide as City pressed for an equaliser in the last ten minutes.

But the best opportunity fell to Edmondson on 90 minutes after Nogan's intelligent pass gave him a clear sight of goal only for a poor first touch to prevent an early shot which allowed Tony Vaughan to slide in and concede a corner.

But Mansfield also had three injury-time chances to increase the margin of their victory when Colin Larkin headed wide, then Ovendale made another fine save to turn Corden's low drive behind for a corner before another Corden strike slipped through his fingers over the bar.

York City 1 (Nogan 66); Mansfield 2 (Lawrence 29, Pacquette 53)

Ovendale 8, Smith 6, Brass 6, Hope 7, Cooper 6(Edmondson 70, 7), Walker 7, Ward 7 (Fox 79), Dunning 6, Merris 6, Yalcin 6(Bullock 56, 7), Nogan 8.

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

Subs not used: Porter, Parkin

Star Man: Mark Ovendale - made three excellent saves to keep his side in contention.

Mansfield: Pilkington, Buxton, Day, Artell, Vaughan, Disley (Dimech 82), Lawrence, Williamson, Corden, Christie, Pacquette (Larkin 75) Subs not used: Clarke, White, Hankie.

Yellow cards: Corden 46, Dunning 59, Disley 61, Williamson 86

Red cards: None

Referee: Michael Jones (Ellesmere Port)

Rating: Did little wrong

Attendance: 4,068

Weather watch: Drizzly, overcast

Game breaker: Pacquette's goal left City with a deficit that proved too much to overcome

Match rating: City second best against a Mansfield team that look good outside bets for promotion but still could have stolen a point

Updated: 10:28 Monday, February 16, 2004