York City 0, Bristol City 1

A couple of months later, having seen his inherited side humbled 4-0 by Canvey Island at the end of the 2004/05 season, McEwan swore his club's fans would not suffer such acute embarrassment ever again.

He has been true to his word and, on Saturday, a measure of City's progress under McEwan over the last 21 months was provided in the club's first competitive fixture against Football League opposition since suffering relegation to the Conference two years ago.

Bristol City arrived at KitKat Crescent lying third in the League One table with genuine aspirations of Championship football next season, but left relieved to have progressed into the second round of the FA Cup after being matched, if not bettered, by their non-league hosts.

The Minstermen restricted Gary Johnson's men to just two on-target goal attempts in 90 minutes although skipper Jamie McCombe's second-half header did ultimately prove the difference between the two teams.

Visiting 'keeper Adriano Basso, in contrast, was tested six times with his first save required after just 47 seconds.

Probably the biggest compliment that can be paid to City is the game bore little resemblance to a Cup tie - it was more a well-fought contest between seemingly, evenly-matched sides.

Traditonally, if Cup upsets are to be achieved against opponents two divisions superior, a backs-to-the-wall, physical approach is often the recipe for success but, on Saturday, McEwan and his players chose the platform of the FA Cup first round to demonstrate that Conference football is not all crash, bang, wallop.

In fact, it was the visitors who appeared to resort to intimidatory tactics with four Bristol players cautioned in the second half.

Impressively, City passed and moved as well as their visitors and can feel genuinely aggrieved not to have earned a replay from their performance.

McEwan started the match with a 4-5-1 formation although, because of the personnel, the system had the flexibility to change to 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 at any given time with Clayton Donaldson moving inside from the right flank after McCombe's goal.

Craig Farrell, operating as a lone central striker for most of the first half, forced Basso into his first save within a minute following a firm 25-yard drive which the former Woking 'keeper could only parry.

Bristol's first attempt saw Enoch Showunmi head tamely wide on 20 minutes but Tom Evans was required to make a fine save when City's defence parted to allow Alex Russell a rare sight of the home goal and Luke Foster superbly blocked his follow-up effort.

A minute later, casual play by Neal Bishop in his own penalty box landed Darren Craddock in trouble but the City right-back recovered to divert a Craig Woodman shot.

It was the Minstermen, though, whot went closest to breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time. Recalled skipper Emmanuel Panther, so often at his best when driving forward purposefully in advanced positions, executed a one-two with Farrell and saw his low shot spilled by Basso.

Lively left-winger Marytn Woolford then seized on the loose ball but could only hit the post from a narrowing angle.

The score remained level until Jason Goodliffe was harshly penalised for contesting a header with Phil Jevons.

From the resulting free-kick, Foster chose to back pedal rather than attack the ball and McCombe flicked a header over Evans, who had been lured slightly off his line as it became apparent his defence needed assistance in clearing the danger.

Undeterred, City saw hopeful appeals for a penalty rejected when Donaldson tangled with McCombe, and Farrell and Woolford both went close with free-kicks.

McCombe then wasted a chance to score a second goal when he side-footed wide from five yards after a Lee Johnson corner, but City twice went close to forcing a replay in the closing stages.

First, Foster sent a downward header wide from six yards after Bowey's free-kick and, then, Donaldson's low drive was kept out at his near post by Basso.

Match facts

York City 0, Bristol City 1 (McCombe 53).

Evans 7, Craddock 7, Goodliffe 8, Foster 7, Lloyd 7, Bishop 7, Bowey 8, Panther 7, Woolford 8, Donaldson 7, Farrell 7 (Stamp 84).

Key: 10 - Faultless; 9 - Outstanding; 8 - Excellent; 7 - Good; 6 - Average; 5 - Below par; 4 - Poor; 3 - Dud; 2 - Hopeless; 1 - Retire.

Subs (not used): Reid, Greenwood, McGurk, McMahon.

Star man: Jason Goodliffe - commanding presence at the back.

Bristol City: Adriano Basso, Richard Keogh, Liam Fontaine, Jamie McCombe, Jamie McAllister (Scott Brown, 82), Cole Skuse, Alex Russell, Lee Johnson, Craig Woodman, Enoch Showunmi, Phil Jevons (Jennison Myrie-Williams, 83). Subs not used: Bradley Orr, David Noble, Chris Weale.

Bookings: McAllister 67, Keogh 71, Showumni 80, Johnson 90.

Sent off: None.

Referee: Michael Oliver (Ashington). Rating: Good first half but deteriorated in the second with some puzzling definitions of fouls.

Attendance: 3,525.

Weather watch: Driving rain and chilly.

Game breaker: Woolford's shot that hit the post on the stroke of half-time. A goal then could have generated a terrific second-half Cup tie atmosphere.

Match rating: Not a classic Cup tie full of drama. More of a decent, even game of football.

Billy's verdict: "I'm really disappointed to have lost the game but proud that they gave a good account of themselves."

Player watch: Martyn Woolford

Goal attempts on target: 2
Goal attempts off target: 0
Blocked goal attempts: 0
Passes to own player: 17
Passess to opposition: 4
Crosses to own player: 0
Crosses to opposition: 5
Pass success rate: 78 per cent
Dribbles ball retained: 6
Dribbles ball lost: 5
Dribble success rate: 55 per cent
Headers: 3
Tackles: 5
Clearances, blocks and interceptions: 2
Free kicks won: 3
Free kicks conceded: 0
Offsides: 0
Bookings: 0
Final summary: Woolford came the closest to scoring for City when he hit the post and looked very menacing when running at the Bristol City defence. Also largely reliable in possession but will be disappointed none of his five crosses found a team-mate. Nevertheless, proved himself an exciting talent.