York City's Jekyll and Hyde run of form continued after another performance of 'if onlys' for the Minstermen at Bootham Crescent.

If only a first-half penalty had been converted, if only Rochdale had not been reduced to ten men and, if only, young visiting shot-stopper Matt Gilks had not produced one of the saves of the season then City could comfortably have claimed all three points instead of just the one.

But while Saturday's 3-0 hammering at Rushden and Diamonds likewise centred around a hat-trick of significant twists and turns, there the similarities must end.

For in terms of performance it was a much improved display dished up by the Minstermen.

At the back, City, apart from the odd unsettling second-half moment, remained solid and concentrated.

A few claims and clearances aside, goalkeeper Alan Fettis did not have a save to make and this against a team chasing promotion.

There was also some much needed snap and bite in midfield with the return of skipper Chris Brass alongside Richard Cooper.

And up front, a change to a three-pronged attack ensured City carried a greater goal threat as the Dale defence was pulled this way and that.

Just as significant was the fact there was scant evidence to suggest the players were saving themselves for Fulham. In terms of commitment, City were not found wanting.

What was lacking though was the final ball, the killer touch that would have turned promise into the real deal of three very much-needed points.

That missing ruthlessness was never more apparent than City's failure to score in the dying embers of the first-half.

City had probed and prodded up to that point but rarely come close to breaching the Dale defence until Michael Proctor galloped away down the right.

His centre found Alex Mathie, who showed a cool head to square for Graham Potter, but his goal-bound shot from point-blank range was blocked by a desperate lunge from Gilks.

The cries of frustration had barely subsided when Cooper, chasing the loose ball, was upended by David Flitcroft and referee Paul Danson pointed to the spot.

Potter, perhaps anxious to atone for his earlier miss, stepped up and hit his shot well only for Gilks to guess the right way and make a fine save low down to his left.

As the second-half got underway, City continued to hold the upper hand.

Gilks was soon forced into action again, turning away Proctor's rapier near-post effort after a flowing City move that stretched the length of the pitch.

It looked only a matter of time before the Minstermen would finally break the deadlock.

However, as the hour mark approached Rochdale striker Clive Platt made a late and reckless lunge on Darren Edmondson and promptly received his marching orders.

Platt's red card should have given the City cause a final leg-up but, as is often the case, the dismissal served as a hindrance rather than a helping hand.

Dale became more focused and resolute while City, in a frantic quest to make their numerical supremacy count, lost their shape and momentum.

It was not until the last ten minutes or so that City found their stride again when, but for yet more heroics from Gilks, they could have wrapped up the points.

Edmondson delivered an inch-perfect cross to pick out Peter Duffield, who did everything right - heading downwards and back from where the ball came - only for the Dale 'keeper to claw the ball out from close to his body with a wonderful, improbable one-handed save.

City continued to lay siege to the Dale goal as Brass, Edmondson and Lee Nogan all went close, though the hosts had a lucky escape in the final minutes when striker Kevin Townson charged in on goal.

Recovering defender Matt Hocking appeared to give the Dale striker's shirt a gentle tug, but fortunately for City referee Danson waved play on and Fettis was able to claim at Townson's feet.

Fact file:

York City:

Scorers: none

Fettis 6, Edmondson 6, Hocking 6, Basham 8, Hobson 7, Potter 6, Brass 7, Cooper 7, Nogan 7, Proctor 8, Mathie 6 (Duffield 65m, 7).

Subs, not used: Howarth, Smith, Richardson, Stamp.

Bookings: Basham 77m.

Sent-off: None.

Rochdale:

Scorers: none

Gilks, Evans, Jobson, Griffiths, McAuley, Flitcroft, McLoughlin (Ware 75m), Oliver, Atkinson (Durkan 9m, Connor 62m), Platt, Townson.

Subs, not used: Baker, Dunning.

Bookings: Evans 39m, Flitcroft 53m, Connor 81m.

Sent-off: Platt 59m (serious foul play).

Attendance: 2,317

Referee: Paul Danson (Leicester)

Updated: 11:34 Wednesday, January 23, 2002