CARETAKER chief Andy Porter ended his two-game trial as York City manager with a decent 0-0 draw against Darlington.

City were good value for their point after pressing hard for victory in a positive second-half performance.

But the Quakers kept Porter’s charges at bay, leaving the former Port Vale coach with four points from a possible six following Martin Foyle’s resignation.

Porter made one change to the side that started Saturday’s 3-1 triumph at Tamworth with Peter Till recalled in place of the suspended Alex Lawless.

Centre-back Greg Young, meanwhile, played with a bandaged head to protect the five stitches he received at the weekend.

The visitors managed the first goal attempt after just 46 seconds when Curtis Main cleared Michael Ingham’s crossbar from 25 yards.

Danny Racchi fired over from a similar distance for City and David McGurk also headed wide after following James Meredith’s free-kick.

Former Bury midfielder Racchi continued to look the Minstermen’s biggest goal threat, lifting a free-kick too high and forcing the first save of the night from Darlington goalkeeper Sam Russell on 20 minutes.

At the other end, Main’s well-struck 15-yard volley dipped inches over before Michael Rankine got his bearings wrong with a spectacular off-target overhead kick after Jamal Fyfield had charged down a clearance.

A bemused Till was then stopped in his tracks when the ball burst and City’s performance also fell a little flat for the rest of the half.

Darlington’s Gary Smith called Ingham into a flying save from 20 yards on 23 minutes while Hatch dragged an edge-of-the-box effort wide.

Chris Senior also went close twice before the interval.

First, the former Scarborough striker shot narrowly over after spinning past McGurk.

Another Senior shot on the turn, this time closer to goal, then trickled narrowly wide of a helpless Ingham’s left-hand upright.

Darlington also began the second half in positive fashion with Hatch heading inches over from an Aaron Brown free-kick.

Moments later, Paul Arnison flashed a 35-yard strike wide of Ingham’s near post.

City were finding a well-organised, hard-working defence difficult to break down but, on 58 minutes, Neil Barrett exchanged passes with Michael Gash to create an excellent opening before sidefooting straight at Russell from 12 yards.

Till snatched at two efforts when promisingly positioned, striking team-mate Gash with the first opportunity and then off target.

Left-back Meredith also fired wide from 25 yards as City enjoyed their best spell of the match.

The hard-working Barrett made way for Jonathan Smith on 73 minutes and, shortly afterwards Rankine headed wide from a Racchi free-kick.

City continued to press forward, pegging Darlington in their own half and Young missed a great chance to win the game on 81 minutes.

The ball fell to Young six yards from goal after Rankine had headed down a Till free-kick from the right but the defender shot wide.

Darlington ended the match with ten men after Arnison senselessly crashed into Fyfield in the fourth and final minute of stoppage time, picking up a second caution.


Match facts

York City 0, Darlington 0

York City: Michael Ingham 7, Daniel Parslow 8, David McGurk 7, Greg Young 7, James Meredith 7, Peter Till 7, Neil Barrett 8, Danny Racchi 7, Jamal Fyfield 7, Michael Rankine 7, Michael Gash 8.

Substitutions: Jonathan Smith (for Barrett 73), Leon Constantine (for Rankine 88), David Dowson (for Till 90).

Subs not used: David Knight, Duane Courtney.

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

City’s star man: Daniel Parslow – another solid and reliable display at right-back.

Darlington: Sam Russell, Joe Clarke (John McReady 78), Danny Hone, Kevin Austin, Aaron Brown, Paul Arnison, Paul Terry, Gary Smith (Jamie Chandler 87), Chris Senior, Liam Hatch (Michael Smith 62), Curtis Main.

Subs (not used): Kelvin Jack, Phil Gray.

Yellow cards: McGurk 36, Clarke 48, Arnison 64.

Red cards: Arnison 90.

Referee: Richard West (Leeds).

Attendance: 3,176 (706 from Darlington).


Head to head

Shots on target: York 3, Darlington 1.

Shots off target: York 8, Darlington 8.

Corners: York 4, Darlington 4.

Fouls conceded: York 12, Darlington 18.

Offsides: York 0, Darlington 3.