YORK City boss Gary Mills was left ruing another top goalkeeping display as neighbours Darlington shared the spoils in a 0-0 draw at Bootham Crescent.

Former City trialist Adam Bartlett made two fine saves to deny Michael Rankine, who also hit the bar during an entertaining first half.

The result left the Minstermen still waiting for their first goal and win at home two matches into the new campaign.

Bartlett’s resistance following the heroics of Telford keeper Jas Singh during the opening-day 1-0 home defeat, but Mills is confident maximum points will come in front of the City faithful and is targeting victory this weekend when Nuneaton are the visitors.

Having seen his side kept at bay again in front of a gate just short of 4,000, Mills said: “If we play like that, we will win a lot of games and the three points will come at home.

“We were playing against a good side and, unfortunately, we’ve come up against two keepers who have had storming games in front of our home fans. The patience just has to be there and, if we get a win on Saturday, then ten points from 15, won’t be a bad return.

“I just hope the fans have gone home having been entertained and with encouragement for the season going forward, even if they’d have rather taken three points and not been entertained.”

Mills went on to reason that Rankine can rediscover the form that earned him a move into the Football League with Aldershot during his first spell in North Yorkshire, as the 32-year-old striker works towards full fitness after missing the first two games of the campaign due to a hamstring niggle.

“I thought he was excellent, before he got tired,” Mills added. “He’s getting back to what he was like when I first came here and we’re working hard with him physically and mentally, because he’s been at a couple of part-time teams and you can develop bad habits.

“I don’t think the week off helped him, because a player like Ranks can’t afford a week off, but he put in a good shift against Darlington and he’s getting there.”

Aidan Connolly was also given his first run-out of the campaign after calf surgery as a second-half substitute, with Mills welcoming his return to the squad.

“He’s looked sharp in training and got on the ball around the edge of the box a couple of times,” Mills pointed out. “We know he can make things happen in those situations, so it’s nice to know we’ve got him to bring on.”