ON the wettest of wet nights, York City rose above the dreadful conditions and to the challenge of facing league leaders Hartlelpool with the bravest of brave performances.

At a rain-lashed Victoria Park, City produced one of their best showings of this campaign and fully deserved their point.

But for a linesman's flag it could have been all three, and fair-minded United fans could not have quibbled.

City mixed grit and determination with guile and style and in an entertaining game that belied the conditions produced a fine all-round team performance.

The defence, marshalled superbly by skipper Chris Brass, aided and abetted by the considerable and reassuring presence of Jon Parkin, reverting from front to back, were the cornerstone.

But the midfield worked tirelessly to close down the space and ruffle the home feathers while up front Peter Duffield was at his spiky, bustling best and lead the line superbly.

New loan signing Michael Reddy came on for the second-half and looks certain to be major asset.

Full of pace, power and running, he gave City a real cutting edge after the break when he unnerved and unpicked the home defence on more than one occasion.

Hartlepool had their moments and an odd sight of goal, and in the early stages certainly enjoyed plenty of possession.

Ritchie Humphreys blasted a shot from 25 yards that shaved the City upright while Eifion Williams got a firm foot to a cross but could only direct the ball straight at Alan Fettis from six yards.

But in truth it was the weather and conditions that posed the biggest threat to the Minstermen rearguard. The wet, slippery pitch created more than a few moments of worry and anxiety whenever Hartlepool launched the ball forward But gradually City found their feet, both in defence and when going forward, and with some considered approach play created the clearer chances of the half.

Lee Cook miscued from 12 yards after good work down the left by Graham Potter and Stephen Brackstone was unfortunate to see his goal-bound effort blocked.

Some sharp approach play put both Lee Bullock and Leigh Wood in the clear on two separate occasions only for the former to be denied by a sharp tackle from Mark Tinkler and the latter to see the ball held up by a puddle as he looked to shoot.

As the half closed so the rain started to ease, if only slightly. At the same time, City started to retain possession enough to silence the crowd and with no shortage of confidence and composure started to dictate the pace of the game.

Lee Nogan went closest to breaking the deadlock, forcing Anthony Williams in the United goal into action with a long range effort that the home shot-stopper could only push away.

The only dark cloud on the horizon, bar those that were bringing rain by the bucket-load, was the fact all of City's defence except Potter but including goalkeeper Fettis had picked up a yellow card.

With the pitch precarious, the fear was just a couple of mistimed tackles could prove very costly for the Minstermen.

The second half was delayed five minutes due to floodlight failure but with Reddy on from the interval for the injured Nogan, City's blossoming confidence and increasing assuredness despite the atrocious conditions was apparent.

The Sunderland striker's blistering pace stretched the Pool defence time again and within ten minutes of the restart City looked to have taken the lead when Duffield swept home Cook's cross only for a linesman's flag to say otherwise.

At the other end, Hartlepool continued to flounder and crash against City's rock-solid defence and were left to pump aimless balls forward that just ran away on the slick pitch.

In the dying embers, Pool did inflict some concerted pressure but while City struggled to clear their lines it was significant Fettis did not have a save to make.

Hartlepool: A Williams, Arnison, Lee, Westwood, Robinson, Clarke (Istead 63), Tinkler, Humphreys, Smith, Richardson, E Williams . Subs, not used: Provett, Barron, Widdrington, Barry-Murphy. Bookings: Clarke 59 (foul). Sent-off: None

York City: Fettis 8, Edmondson 7, Parkin 9, Brass 9, Potter 7, Wood 7, Bullock 7, Brackstone 7, Cook 7, Nogan 7 (Reddy HT, 8), Duffield 8. Subs, not used: Howarth, Wilding, Wise, Mathie. Bookings: Parkin 5, Brass 18, Fettis 32, Edmondson 33, Bullock 81 (all fouls)

ATTENDANCE: 5,789

Man of the match: Chris Brass Just about faultless.Challenged for everything and constantly cajoaled his troops

Updated: 10:50 Saturday, November 02, 2002