THE will could not be faulted, but in the end York City just could not find the way to topple Division Three pacesetters Rushden and Diamonds.

The solitary point of order that was realised may be deemed disappointing given the sense of occasion before kick-off.

But in the final analysis and cold light of day, City should not be too despondent with a draw after the sort of patchy performance that did not really warrant victory but nor did it deserve defeat.

For the most part the football was forced rather than flowed from City, who were missing Jon Parkin, the pivot on which much of their eye-catching attacking play has prospered recently.

And for the most part too, while there was little to separate the teams Rushden seemed to have that tad more finesse and of the limited chances created from both sides they probably had the clearer cut.

But a point and a clean sheet aside, there are more than a smattering of other positives City can take from the game.

Amid raised expectations, City never shied from trying to rise to the challenge and they played with commitment and endeavour.

They were certainly never outclassed by the visitors. They proved Diamond's equal most of the time and on occasions looked poised to take control of the game.

That they matched last season's play-off finalists should firmly banish any inferiority complex still lingering among all Minstermen - Saturday proved they have nothing to fear in this division.

Perhaps the biggest source of comfort was the fact City at least got a result even though they never quite found top gear.

Such stickability and determination is said to be proof of a good side and in season's past this was the sort of game City would have lost through frustration and carelessness.

In a first-half that simmered rather than reached boiling point, that was interesting rather than thrilling, Rushden settled quickly while City took some time to find their stride.

There were sightings of goal for the Minstermen; Gary Hobson was just inches from latching on to Tom Cowan's well-flighted free-kick at the far post, Lee Nogan screwed a half-chance wide from the edge of the area and then forced a good save from Billy Turley with a powerful downward header.

But as an attacking force, Diamonds moved the ball quicker, passed it better and had the two best chances of the half.

Onandi Lowe latched on to Duane Darby's flick and took the ball round Alan Fettis in the City goal but from a tight angle and with City skipper Chris Brass on the line the Jamaican international fired his shot into the side netting.

Moments later it took a superbly timed and perfectly executed tackle from Chris Smith to deny Darby, who, leg cocked, looked odds on to score from six yards.

If City had laboured in the first-half, life hardly got any easier at the start of the second as the visitors forced five corners in as many minutes.

Credit to City, who defended them resolutely, and Fettis for a fingertip save to deny Darby's near-post snap-shot from eight yards.

But it was not until the hour mark that City finally started to pose a forward threat of their own.

Nogan was denied by an important defensive header from connecting with Alex Mathie's fine cross to the back stick, then by the legs of Turley after weaving his way through the Diamonds' penalty area in City's best chance of the game.

For a time, City looked set to take a firm grip on the game forcing corners of their own only for the impetus to swing back.

City were again grateful to Alan Fettis for a fantastic save to deny Lowe's powerful header and another safe pair of hands from the City 'keeper to repel Darby's low drive at the death.

In the end then a share of the spoils was a fair result.

City would of course have preferred all three rather than just the one but in terms of general direction it was a point forward rather than back.

Fact file:

York City: Fettis 8, Edmondson 6, Smith 8, Brass 8, Hobson 7, Cowan 6, Brackstone 8, Bullock 6, Mathie 6 (Yalcin 79m), Nogan 6 (Rogerio 86m), Duffield 6.

Subs (not used): Howarth, Potter, Jones.

Goals: None

Bookings: None.

Sent-off: None.

Rushden & Diamonds: Turley, Mustafa, Peters, Dempster, Underwood, Hall, Mills, Wardley, Gray, Darby, Lowe.

Subs (not used): Tillson, Partridge, Burgess, Sollitt, Talbot.

Goals: None

Bookings: None. Sent-off: None.

REF: Steve Baines (Chesterfield)

ATTENDANCE: 4102.

Man of the match: Chris Smith. Another excellent performance from the young defender. Composed, but plenty of aggression too.

Updated: 12:04 Monday, September 16, 2002