York's 13-7 defeat in their Yorkshire League League One match at Pontefract demonstrated their tendency to play just up to the level of the opposition.

This characteristic puts them in good stead against the top clubs but is a real handicap against weaker opposition.

That's no disrespect to Pontefract as they deserved their victory, but they are not an outstanding outfit.

York's woes started early when line-out ace Dave Spanton had to withdraw because of police duties at the York City fans' march to Bootham Crescent.

Then, soon after kick-off, Craig Ventress, at fly-half, came off with a back injury. Mike Ford took his place, with Sam Arkle going from wing to full back and Ally Hurst coming on as replacement.

Nevertheless, York started quite brightly on a heavy pitch with a supporting stiff breeze as wing Rob Karma raced down the left supported by Andy Kay, and scrum-half James Arkle kicked York into good position.

However, York came away without reward as a succession of penalties enabled Pontefract to reverse the pressure.

Inevitably, one such transgression, for preventing release, gave Pontefract the lead when Nick Cooper slotted the penalty kick.

York continued to suffer from not reading the referee and they allowed Pontefract fly-half Julian Appleyard to kick for position and Cooper was almost in for a try on the right.

After 20 minutes York began to regain composure, with the forwards making some powerful charges.

Lock Brad MacDonald and newly returned former star prop Dave Dorking were to the fore, with flanker Lee Denham adding penetrative burst wider out.

Finally, Kay and Dorking combined to establish a bridgehead outside the Pontefract 22.

Centres Sean Bass and Stu Davies carried it on for Denham to apply a powerful surge to the line for a try which Ford converted to put York 7-3 in the lead.

This golden five minutes proved to be something of a mirage as York continued to concede penalties and Pontefract ended the half on the attack.

Hopes of a revitalised second period were unfounded as play continued at an even more uninspired level.

York had not used the wind well before the break and their lack of boot power was evidenced as they repeatedly failed to clear their lines.

This gave control to Pontefract and Appleyard effectively kicked for position. He created the one bright spark of inspiration as he sid-stepped clear and sent Jon Lowry for the line, where he was halted.

But York were disrupted and replacement flanker Matty Williams followed up to score. Cooper converted and Pontefract led by 10-7.

York had not been enjoying their anticipated set-piece supremacy and Rik Beart and debutant Matt Emmerson, a former West Hartlepool player, were brought on for Dorking and Kay.

No doubt this was a 'fresh legs and anything different' policy in a desperate situation, but it deprived York of their two most effective forwards when other options were available.

Whatever the theory, York's performance didn't improve and a slick drop goal from Appleyard with ten minutes remaining effectively sealed York's fate, especially as a couple of minutes later Ford missed a penalty when Pontefract were adjudged to be lying on the ball.

After having beaten Pontefract at home this reverse was a disappointment for York, but not exactly a clarion call of doom.

However, it was certainly a wake-up trumpet as the screw at the bottom of the table was tightened a little by Selby's victory at West Park Bramhope.

York's objective now is to avoid relegation and there are some serious battles ahead against lower but improving teams.

Updated: 12:36 Monday, January 14, 2002