AFTER an opening day 4-1 defeat, York City fans would be forgiven for thinking things can hardly get worse.

And at least in the first half at Chesterfield, City showed themselves to be a good side in waiting.

But in Saturday's 2-0 reverse at home to Cheltenham, served up by former City player Neil Grayson's two goals, the Minstermen rarely rose above poor as they slumped to bottom of the table - the only side in Division Three yet to register a point this season.

Against an organised, hard-working and committed Robins, York started badly and while they managed to up the tempo after the break it was all-too comfortable a win for Steve Cotterill's side.

Scratching around for plusses, surely York can not play as bad again and in Alan Fettis have a goalkeeper worth his wait in gold.

But for the Northern Ireland shot-stopper the scoreline could have been more emphatic.

The major worry is that City's defence, so resolute at the end of last year and the cause for such summer optimism, creaked at every Cheltenham foray.

The panic set in after just six minutes. Former Rowntree Mackintosh striker Grayson robbed a sleeping Darren Edmondson of possession. Mark Yates rolled the ball out wide to Mike Duff and his deep cross was met forcefully by Grayson.

The York-born striker could only watch in wonder as Fettis pulled off the first of many fine saves to turn the ball around the post.

City looked like a side who had failed to switch on; passes fell short and players ran up dark alleys, while Cheltenham always seemed to have an extra man, were sharper in the tackle and quicker to the ball.

Both Yates and Hugh McAuley had Fettis at full stretch with a couple of speculative efforts before Grayson broke the deadlock on 19 minutes.

Edmondson looked to have cleared the danger when he lifted the ball off Grayson's foot from a dangerous cross.

However, Cheltenham had a man over in McAuley, who wasted no time in knocking the ball back into the danger zone.

This time Grayson pounced sharply, lifting the ball over Fettis and into the roof of the City net to give Cheltenham a deserved lead.

Hopes that the goal may spark City into life proved unfounded as indecision swept through the red ranks.

Only Steve Agnew looked like a man ready to take responsibility while all around him players looked bereft of confidence.

On 34 minutes, City finally had an effort on goal, Barry Conlon dragging a shot well-wide.

However, it was Cheltenham who continued to show much the greater threat.

From Duff's cross, Fettis raced from his line to punch the ball off Grayson's head before the striker squirmed past Mark Sertori to thump a near post shot straight at the City goalkeeper.

City at last mustered a shot on target and forced Town goalkeeper Steve Book into action.

McAuley, booked for a foul on Conlon, continued to argue his case with referee Mike Pike, who used the new ten-yard rule to advance the City free-kick into the Cheltenham area.

Christian Fox's careful flighted-curler cleared the wall and seemed destined for the top corner until Book stuck out a hand to deny the teenage midfielder.

Still, it was Cheltenham who were to have the final word as the half closed; Fettis again showing tremendous reflexes to tip over Jamie Victory's thunderous header.

In an attempt to shake things up, City manager Terry Dolan replaced Conlon for Colin Alcide at the break.

The hope was York would do a 'Chesterfield' - come out a side transformed for the second half.

But while matters improved - the ball spending less time in the City box and more time in the Cheltenham half - the Minstermen were again grateful to Fettis for keeping them in the match.

The half was only minutes old when the City 'keeper reacted smartly to nip the ball from Duff's feet as the midfielder looked to latch on to Victory's clever reverse pass.

A ball out of a congested midfield saw Rich Walker race into the City box unopposed but the Cheltenham left-back blasted his effort wide with only Fettis to beat.

City spluttered occasionally.

Kevin Hulme just failed to reach Fox's far-post cross before Gary Hobson's flicked header was punched clear from under his crossbar by Book.

York's best move of the match saw Potter's cross knocked down by Duffield into the path of Alcide. The City striker's shot was hit sweetly but straight at Book.

With five minutes to go Grayson made sure of the points for Cheltenham.

His first header, latching on to Duff's cross, was yet again brilliantly saved by Fettis. His second effort cannoned back off the post before he finally poked the ball home at the third attempt while lying flat on his back.

A bad day at the office for City but at least from rock-bottom the only way is up!

PICTURE: HEADS I WIN: City defender Gary Hobson gets up well to deny Cheltenham's two-goal hero Neil Grayson a sniff at goal this time

City Match Facts Nationwide Division Three

Saturday, August 19, 2000 York City 0, Cheltenham 2

York City

Scorers: None

YORK CITY: Alan Fettis 8, Darren Edmondson 6, Graham Potter 6, Peter Swan 6, Gary Hobson 6, Mark Sertori 6, Steve Agnew 7, Kevin Hulme 6, Peter Duffield 6, Barry Conlon 6 (Colin Alcide 46 mins, 6), Christian Fox 6 (David McNiven 65 mins, 6)

Subs, not used: Russ Howarth, Barry Jones, Lee Bullock

Bookings: Conlon 15 mins (foul), Agnew 27 mins (foul), Hulme, 90 mins (foul)

Sendings-off: None

Cheltenham

Scorer: Grayson, 19 mins, 86 mins

CHELTENHAM: Steve Book, Mike Duff, Jamie Victory, Chris Banks, John Brough, Neil Grayson (Jason White 87mins), Hugh McAuley, Richard Walker, Mark Yates, Neil Howarth, Julian Alsop.

Subs, not used: Mark Freeman, Antony Griffin, Shane Higgs, Mike Jackson

Bookings: McAuley 40 mins (foul)

Sendings-off: None

Evening Press/Unique Pub Man of the Match

Alan Fettis - Top class. A string of fines saves gave City hope of salvaging something until Grayson's late second.

Match Stats

York

Half-time 0

Corners 9

Shots on target 4

Fouls committed 6

Cheltenham

Half-time 1

Corners 9

Shots on target 7

Fouls committed 16

Attendance: 2,793

Referee: Mike Pike (Barrow-in-Furness)

City's next match: v Stoke City (Worthington Cup, first round first leg) at Bootham Crescent, Tuesday, August 22, 2000. Kick-off 7.45pm

Nationwide Football League, Division Three