PETER Duffield's eighth goal of the season salvaged a point for York City against Wrexham.

But while his 74th-minute leveller spared City's blushes and keeps them on the coat-tails of the division's front-runners it could not paper over the cracks of a disjointed and largely disappointing performance.

Three points are normally the target when on home guard, but City will count this as a point gained rather than two lost while Wrexham will be wondering how they did not claim all three.

Strangely given the overall display, City fashioned more than a handful of decent chances, in the first half especially, and could easily have stolen a win at the end.

But Wrexham looked quicker and slicker throughout. They dominated possession for much of the match, won nearly all the second balls, sprung forward in numbers and turned the City defence time and time again.

Scratching around for positives other than the point collected, it's not all doom and gloom.

Against one of the best sides to have graced Bootham Crescent this season City again underlined their doggedness and sheer persistence in the face of adversity.

Eking out results when displays are under par is, after all, supposed to be the sign of decent side.

Chances continue to be created if not always taken and with two goals in three games at least Duffield looks to be back on his early season goal trail.

But if promotion is still the goal then City cannot expect to realise that dream with too many similar performances.

Certainly, the sometimes free-flowing football that ushered in the new season has lately gone the same way as the August sunshine.

Maybe, hopefully, Duffield's goal will kick-start City's season again and inject some confidence and conviction back into the Minstermen and their fans.

The tone of the game and City's display looked set after just six minutes when Darren Ferguson scythed through the City midfield all too comfortably and fed Andy Morrell, who curled his shot against the post.

If the thwack of the woodwork failed to wake City then Steve Roberts' goal just two minutes later should have done.

Ferguson back-heeled a free-kick on the edge of the City area and Roberts rifled his shot into the top right-hand corner leaving Alan Fettis with no chance.

More telling than Morrell's effort, it still failed to stir City from their slumber as Wrexham passed and probed, switched play from flank to flank and seemingly closed in on goal whenever the mood took them.

Striker Lee Trundle, who proved a thorn in City's side all night, forced a good save from Fettis with a header before playmaker Ferguson flashed a low drive across the goal.

While City were second best for much of the first half they did fashion some decent chances.

Duffield had a sharp header saved while Jon Parkin blasted a half-chance from a tightish angle straight at 'keeper Paul Whitfield

The best two opportunities fell to Lee Cook, who had a dipping volley from the edge of the area tipped over the bar and five minutes later was expertly denied again by Whitfield when clean through.

The visitors continued to apply the pressure at the start of the second half but found Fettis in imperious form to deny both Trundle and Morrell.

And when Wrexham did find a way past the 'keeper, Darren Edmondson was on hand to hack Brian Carey's header off the line.

The introduction of Lee Nogan on 65 minutes injected some much-needed enthusiasm into City ranks, culminating in Duffield's equaliser less than ten minutes later.

From Cook's corner, Parkin made a nuisance of himself at the near post and with the ball drifting unopposed to the back stick Duffield poked it home.

Both sides had chances to claim a late winner.

Wrexham created the greater with Shaun Holmes and Hector Sam both going close and only a fantastic last ditch tackle by Nogan denying Morrell a clear sight of goal.

But none went as close as Cook's shot, after some clever link-up play with Levent Yalcin, that sailed over Whitfield only to drop the wrong side of the post.

Fact file:

York City: Fettis 8, Edmondson 6, Brass 7, Jones 6 (Smith 48m, 7), Potter 6, Wood 5, Bullock 6 (Yalcin 83m), Wilding 5 (Nogan 65m 8), Cook 7, Parkin 5, Duffield 7 Subs, not used: Howarth, Mathie

Bookings: Parkin 44m (foul), Nogan 85m (dissent) Goal: Duffield 74m

Wrexham: Whitfield, Edwards, Carey, Pejic, Roberts (Bennett 15m), Holmes, Ferguson, Whitley, Barrett, Trundle, Morrell (Sam 83m) Subs, not used: Rogers, Edwards, Thomas

Bookings: Morrell 83m (unsporting conduct). Goal: Roberts 8m

REFEREE: Mark Clattenburg (Chester-le-Street) (Replaced by Martin Robinson, from Darlington, 24m)

ATTENDANCE: 2,970

Man of the match: Alan Fettis. Made a number of important and impressive saves

Updated: 12:08 Wednesday, October 30, 2002