ANOTHER win, the first away from home this season, and another ringing endorsement of the never-say-die attitude now running through this York City team.

On the rack after Swansea grabbed a second-half equaliser, a betting man would have wagered a considerable sum on a home victory.

In seasons past the gambler would have been on to a sure-fire winner. When the heat was on City didn't so much wobble as crumble.

But not now. Much has already been made of City's new steely character and there was certainly a determined glint in City's eye at Vetch Field.

Not only did City steady what could have been a sinking ship but rallied to regain the lead and then sucked the life out of the game to sail into the South Wales sunset with three points bagged.

For all Swansea's second-half surge, City, without being spectacular, were good value for their win and certainly good value for their half-time lead.

In those opening 45 minutes, they rarely found top gear against a severely limited home side but, having paid the price for some costly defensive lapses on their previous travels, were concentrated and error free.

From back to front, they defended resolutely and worked relentlessly to quell the home side.

With the defensive foundations in place, City set about taking the game to Swansea and having taken the lead on the half-hour mark - Lee Bullock firing home through a crowded penalty area as the home side failed to deal with Graham Potter's corner - took a firm grip on what remained.

They went close to adding to their tally with Peter Duffield forcing a hat-trick of saves with a shot from distance, chip and then near-post flick.

In contrast, Swansea started sluggishly and got worse, so much so that by half-time it was difficult to see a way back for the home side.

Given such inertia, something had to be done and not unexpectedly the break saw a tactical switch from Swansea, from 4-4-2 initially to 3-5-3 then later 3-4-3, which helped turn the tide.

Suddenly crosses started to rain in on the City box and, while Marlon Beresford in the City goal came and claimed time and time again, the discomfort was growing

As the Swans built up a head of steam, Jon Parkin wasted a gilt-edged opportunity to put the result beyond doubt.

Lee Nogan's short pass played the giant striker in on the Swansea goal but with just Freestone to beat Parkin crashed his shot against the 'keeper's legs.

It looked a costly miss, particularly seconds later when Swansea levelled.

Michael Howard's cross from the left picked out David Moss, who had been a threat all game with his late runs from midfield, and his powerful header flew beyond Beresford and into the top corner.

The writing looked on the wall for City as the home crowd cranked up the noise and their team looked to step up the pressure.

But City were cracked not broken and their response was swift and telling.

Nogan twisted this way and that before rolling the ball into Duffield in the Swansea box.

The pint-sized striker had his back to goal but sucked Andrew Mumford into a clumsy challenge for a stonewall penalty.

There was never any doubt who would take the spot-kick and no doubt that Duffield would score - coolly sending Freestone the wrong way.

The goal deflated the Swans and what remained was relatively comfortable for City as they hurried and harried, chased and tackled to ensure the home side did not have a sniff.

It is still early in the season and caution is necessary, but away-day performances like these cannot help but breed optimism and confidence both in the team and supporters.

It should only be whsipered, but this City team is genuinely looking the part.

Match facts:

Swansea City: Freestone, Evans, Theobold, Sharp, Howard, Murphy (Williams 62m), Reid, Moss, Jenkins (Mumford 46m), Cusack, Keavney. Subs not used: Marsh, Smith, Jackson. Booked: Jenkins 22, Reid 30, Howard 43 (all fouls). Sent off: None. Goals: Moss 76.

York City: Beresford 8, Edmondson 8, Smith 8, Brass 8, Cowan 8, Potter 7 (Hobson 90m), Brackstone 8, Bullock 7, Duffield 7 (Mathie 83m), Nogan 7, Parkin 7 (Wood 78m). Subs not used: Fettis, Rogerio. Booked: Cowan 62 (unsporting conduct), Bullock 73 (dissent). Sent off: None. Goals: Bullock 30, Duffield 80 pen

ATTENDANCE: 4,086

Man of the match: Marlon Beresford - No outstanding saves but when the heat was on claimed cross after cross to relieve the pressure

REFEREE: Phil Prosser (Tewkesbury)

Updated: 10:19 Monday, September 02, 2002