JUST as the dream start continues unabashed so York City continue to defy expectations, and not just in terms of results.

The season is only three games old and already it is becoming something of a stuck record to champion the Minstermen's flowing football.

But the way City maintained possession and moved the ball around the McAlpine Stadium on Saturday was as impressive as it was rewarding.

Added to the style, City looked highly organised and prepared, bolstered by a clearly visible team spirit that will realise plenty of points this season.

More importantly, City outworked Huddersfield.

The Terriers were rarely given a moment to settle as City pressed and pressed the man on the ball relentlessly.

Three games in and passing and passion is what we have come to expect from this City team.

But Saturday still managed to throw up some added - and not insignificant - surprises.

It was well documented that when Chris Brass was sidelined last season with a broken cheekbone City failed to register a win.

Against Huddersfield, Brass was again sidelined, this time by suspension, but his lack of presence in the City backline was hardly missed.

Brass, of course, remains a vital influence on the pitch but it is comforting to know City are no longer so reliant on just one player.

That was evident at the McAlpine, where every man in a City shirt played their part and had a significant hand in this victory. No one was being carried.

Optimism was further enhanced by a tactical change, albeit enforced.

An unfortunate injury to Stuart Wise midway through the first half forced a switch from 5-3-2 to 4-4-2 for the first time this season and encouragingly the transition was just about seamless.

An ability to adapt and change is important. Successful teams are rarely one dimensional and always have more than one key to unlock resolute defences.

On this evidence, City have more than one string to their bow, which was expertly plucked by Lee Bullock, who fired City into the lead with an arrowed drive of some precision.

The City midfielder, who had a superb game, can rarely have struck a ball sweeter.

From 20 yards out, his thunderbolt crashed off the underside of the crossbar to leave Terriers' goalkeeper Ian Gray clutching at air.

The goal, coming on 17 minutes, was no more than City deserved.

From doggedness to dominance; the inevitable early home fire had been quelled by some serious keep-ball by the Minstermen, all rubber-stamped by Bullock's blast.

City's perpetual progress was only checked by the injury to Wise as a reshaped City at first struggled to match their earlier forward momentum.

But it proved only a temporary reprieve for Huddersfield and if anything the formation switch strengthened City's defensive arm.

Huddersfield were enjoying a tad more possession but with City continuing to fight for every loose ball Mark Ovendale in the City goal remained untested.

After the break, Huddersfield upped the tempo but continued to find City a tough nut to crack.

Ovendale produced a fine save to deny Jon Stead's volley from ten yards on 56 minutes and came and claimed with great assurance thereafter.

And even if Huddersfield saw more of the ball in the second period, it was City who continued to control the tempo and play the slicker, quicker football.

They also fashioned the clearer chances with the three musketeers of Bullock, Liam George and Lee Nogan producing some swashbuckling and inventive football.

Nogan should have scored but headed into the arms of Gray from eight yards, so too should Richard Cooper, who side-footed agonisingly wide with the goal at his mercy.

In between, Darren Dunning did find the net with a deft far post header but was adjudged to have given his marker a telling nudge in the back.

A second goal wouldn't have been an injustice. Nor really would a third.

Certainly, luck has had little part to play in City's successes to date.

The Minstermen deserve their current place in the sun and with so many positives to come from Saturday's showing who's to say it won't last beyond the end of summer.

York City

Ovendale 8 - Didn't put a glove wrong

Edmondson 7 - Gave Town little joy

Wise 7 - Solid showing until injured

(Cooper 25m 7 - Grafted and battled)

Wood 8 - City's iceman in defence

Hope 8 - Height proved vital

Merris 8 - Another near faultless display

Ward 8 - Kept everything ticking

Dunning 7 - Vital cog in the engine room

Bullock 9* - Fine goal, dominated midfield

Nogan 8 - Gargantuan effort allied with class

George 7 - Great movement

(Stewart 85m)

Subs (not used): Porter, Downes, Davies.

Scorer: Bullock 17min

Huddersfield Town

Gray, Booty, Sodje, Yates, Hughes, Thorrington (Schofield 75m), Fowler, Carss (Worthington 79m), Newby, Stead, Booth.

Subs (not used): Senior, Thompson, Scott.

Yellow cards: Stead 19min, Nogan 62min, Worthington 87min.

Red cards: None

Referee: Joe Ross (London), who let the game flow.

Attendance: 9,850

Weather watch: Overcast, with a sprinkling of sun and rain.

Game breaker: Ovendale's second half save to deny Stead came at a crucial time.

Match rating: Another impressive showing from City

Updated: 08:49 Monday, August 25, 2003