IT might have taken 52 matches to arrive but, for York City supporters, Kevin Donovan's first goal in three years was well worth the wait.

Donovan's 89th-minute solo effort earned the Minstermen a gutsy point at home to Halifax last night, as well as ending his personal drought in front of goal.

The 32-year-old midfielder last got his name on the scoresheet exactly three years ago today for Barnsley in a 4-1 First Division victory over Walsall on December 8, 2001.

It is a surprising statistic for a player who has netted 45 times during a distinguished career at Huddersfield, Halifax, West Brom, Grimsby, Barnsley and Rochdale.

Even more baffling is the fact that the midfield schemer had scored just once in 90 matches prior to last night's Conference clash at Bootham Crescent, strangely embarking on his barren spell after grabbing three goals in just four matches at the beginning of 2001.

And it is fair to say that York City fight-backs have become almost as rare as Donovan goals in recent times.

However, a display full of character, epitomised no better than by the dogged performance of former manager Chris Brass at centre-back, saw City snatch a late equaliser just four minutes after the psychological blow of conceding the first goal of the game.

The Minstermen's youngsters came of age during their previous outing, the 2-1 victory over Carlisle, but with six teenagers starting against play-off hopefuls Halifax, an even greater onus was placed on the club's senior professionals.

They all delivered. Donovan's excellent goal and Brass' determination at the back were matched by much-maligned midfielder Paul Groves' best performance in a City shirt, while player-coach Lee Nogan also toiled hard in attack.

The final result was a fair reflection of an even contest although City's main concern remains the lack of a goal threat.

Before Donovan's late breakthrough, visiting keeper Ian Dunbavin was rarely tested although, likewise, City stopper David Stockdale was not unduly troubled until the closing stages.

A tight first half saw Dunbavin keep out Lev Yalcin's deflected drive on 24 minutes, while former Minsterman midfielder Steve Bushell rattled the underside of the crossbar for Halifax shortly afterwards with a thunderous 25-yard drive following Stockdale's poor clearance.

Bushell started to pull the strings for the Shaymen as the visitors' midfield dictated play towards the end of the first half although City stemmed the flow after the interval.

Teenage midfielder Kane Ashcroft, who battled gamely again, reluctantly tried his luck from 25 yards with no other options in front of him and dragged a shot wide on 48 minutes before clipping the crossbar with a looping header moments later.

Dave Merris' tantalising cross into the six-yard box then somehow eluded both Ashcroft and Nogan, while Groves' rising drive proved a comfortable height for Dunbavin on 69 minutes.

Halifax had threatened little in the second half but appeared to seize the initiative as the game entered its closing stages.

Craig Midgley fired a good chance straight at Stockdale on 83 minutes before firing a low shot against a post with the ball fortunately bouncing to safety via the head of the unwitting City 'keeper.

That proved temporary respite, however, with substitutes Martin Foster and Lewis Killeen combining to break the deadlock.

Foster threaded a precise pass through the City defence for Killeen to collect in the penalty box and he calmly found Stockdale's bottom right-hand corner from 12 yards.

A praiseworthy performance, blighted by a toothless attacking display, appeared to be the story of the night for City before goal-starved Donovan intervened.

The right-sided midfielder received the ball on the touchline before setting off on a direct run into the visitors penalty box.

Stopped in his tracks by a Halifax defender, Donovan's persistence paid off as he won the ball back, carried it towards goal and then poked his shot past the advancing Dunbavin.

It was a composed finish that suggested City might not have to wait three years for his next goal.

The result - against one of the division's form teams - should also give the Minstermen renewed confidence ahead of Saturday's trip to lowly Northwich.

Match facts:

Nationwide Conference

Tuesday, December 7, 2004

at Bootham Crescent

York City 1, (Donovan 89)

Halifax 1, ( Killeen 85)

City ratings:

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

Stockdale 7

Staley 7

Brass 8 (Law 90m)

Grant 7

Davies 7

Donovan 7

Ashcroft 7 (Dunning 75min)

Groves 7

Merris 7

Yalcin 6 (Robinson 68, 6)

Nogan 6

Subs not used: Porter, Smith, Webster.

Star man: Brass - defended as if his life depended on it with some brilliantly-timed last-ditch tackles.

Halifax Town: Dunbavin, Haslam, Ingram, Quinn, Doughty, Midgley, Bushell, Blunt (Mallon, 90), Howell, Ross (Foster, 76) Meechan (Killeen, 76). Subs not used: Clarke, Chin.

Yellow cards: Grant 28, Ross 41, Blunt 50.

Red cards: None.

Referee: Jonathon Moss (West Yorkshire) rating: Uncontroversial and sensible.

Attendance: 2,394.

Weather watch: Cool and dry.

Game shaker: Veteran midfielder Kevin Donovan's timely leveller to give the battling Minstermen a share of the spoils.

Match rating: Close contest with defences on top until the closing stages.

Player watch: Kevin Donovan

Shots on target: 1.

Shots off target: 1.

Blocked shots: 1.

Passes to own player: 22.

Passes to opposition: 5.

Crosses to own player: 0.

Crosses to opposition: 2.

Pass completion rate: 75.9 per cent.

Dribbles ball retained: 2.

Dribbles ball lost: 6.

Dribbles success rate: 25 per cent.

Headers: 8. Tackles: 3. Offsides: 0.

Clearances, blocks and interceptions: 5.

Free kicks won: 3. Free kicks conceded: 0. Bookings: 0.

Final summary: A tidy display capped by his first City goal. Reliably retained possession and a willing receiver of the ball but will be disappointed with a return of just two crosses.

Updated: 10:49 Wednesday, December 08, 2004