MIRACLES do happen, as the rescue of York City Football Club from the threat of extinction by the fans has proved.

Sadly, there was to be no divine intervention at the Kassam Stadium, but at least there was enough interest to numb the pain as promotion was finally, absolutely, removed from the agenda.

City, still clinging to the very remote possibility of securing a top-seven berth at kick-off, gave youth its fling to give a tantalising glimpse of the future.

Adding further interest was a formation switch, from 5-3-2 to 4-4-2, and also a tactical change of tack.

Much of this season's relative success has been based on getting the ball forward quickly and then swarming forward to support the front men.

Saturday's Minstermen maxim must have been 'thou shalt pass... and pass and pass and pass' as City decided to play the ball out through the back and into midfield.

It was easy on the eye, in the second half in particular, as the Minstermen sometimes put more than 20 passes together without reply and certainly made for a refreshing change.

It was more evolution than revolution, but gave a whiff of new possibilities for next season and at least suggested City have options for change.

But, while Saturday's final game of the season could prove to be the catalyst for a new City, it also exposed the Minstermen's limitations that have served to see the play-offs disappear.

For all the pass happy instincts, City lacked penetration. There was plenty of icing but no cherry to finish off the cake.

Saturday proved the foundations are there, not just for next season but way beyond, but a spearhead, a dominant focal point, is desperately needed.

The facts speak for themselves. Manager Terry Dolan admits the loss of poacher Peter Duffield cannot be underestimated and it is now more than 360 minutes of football since City scored.

And while Saturday managed to generate anticipation for the future it also saw the hopes of the here and now snuffed out unceremoniously.

Dreams of City achieving the almost impossible - securing a win and a glut of goals were the bare minimum - were scuppered after just three minutes.

Dean Whitehead surged down the right and after being upended by Tom Cowan floated in a free-kick from nigh on the touchline and Steve Basham thumped, unopposed, his header into the City goal from ten yards.

As a much changed City struggled to find their stride, Oxford threatened to take advantage of the uncertainty with Andy Scott squandering two decent chances, a header and an angled drive, from close range.

Gradually, however, City started to show glimpses of composure. Oxford's forward thrusts were largely brought under control and there was at least a visible attempt to cherish the ball.

Retaining it proved a different matter, though. Too often the ball was played forward to Keith Graydon or Anthony Shandran and bounced back from where it came.

Shandran did manage City's one real effort on target when his looping cross forced Andy Woodman to back pedal and tip the ball over the bar.

But a spark was definitely missing. As such, and despite half-time rapidly approaching, it was no real surprise to see the ineffective Graydon withdrawn and replaced by Lee Nogan.

What the veteran striker may lack in pace he makes up for in nous and suddenly stickability was restored to the front line.

The second half followed pretty much the pattern in which the first half closed.

City's slick passing got ever more slicker as little triangles were knitted across the pitch.

Unfortunately, much of it was done in front of the Oxford defence and not behind. The killer touch, the final telling ball was still lacking.

City's deficiences were underlined when Oxford doubled their advantage just past the hour mark with a superbly worked goal.

Matt Robinson produced a telling change of pace to reach the byline and his driven centre was clinically despatched into the City net by the head of Basham from just six yards.

Credit to York, who refused to let their heads drop and came close to reducing the deficit on three occasions.

Jon Parkin flashed a header over the bar from six yards, Nogan tried a shot on the turn, which forced a sharp save from Woodman, and Lee Bullock did likewise, squeezing his effort just wide.

They went close but it was ultimately in vain. A bit like City's performance. A bit like City's season.

Match facts:

Oxford: Woodman, McNiven, Waterman, Crosby, McCarthy, Robinson, Hunt, Whitehead, Ford, Basham (Oldfield 70m), Scott (Louis 82m)

Subs not used: Hackett, Bound, Omyinmi

Booked: None

Goals: Basham 3m, 63m

York City: Ingham 6 (Stockdale 46m, 7), Cooper 7, Parkin 6, Brass 6, Cowan 7, Bullock 7, Fox 6, Wood 7, Brackstone 7, Graydon 5 (Nogan 42m, 7), Shandran 5 (Wise 73m)

Subs not used: Edmondson, Potter

Booked: None

Goals: None

Referee: Clive Penton (Sussex)

Attendance: 6,905

Man of the match: Lee Bullock. Used the ball well and made some late surges into the box that almost realised goals.

Updated: 10:41 Monday, May 05, 2003