ANOTHER defeat, another game without a goal, but reasons for renewed hope after a torrid few weeks at Bootham Crescent.

Chesterfield may have extended their lead at the top of Division Three with last night's win that left City still in the mire, but after recent performances had fans questioning the commitment of this current side, the Minstermen restored some much-needed credibility and pride.

One swallow does not make a summer and talk of the corner being turned is perhaps premature, but if City can produce the same vim and vigour for the remainder of the season then January will be a painful but distant memory come the end of term.

The service to the front men still left a lot to be desired, particularly in the second-half, while a lack of invention and creativity remains a problem.

But City were certainly more compact, less disjointed and at least looked like a 'team' as the defence defied its recent brittleness to give the Minstermen a steely-platform upon which to build.

Barry Jones, restored to the starting line-up at right-back after a long absence, came close to reproducing the form that has earned him the City player of the year award for the last two outings.

Young Neville Stamp did his chances of an extended first-team run no harm by keeping the dangerous Ryan Williams under lock and key before Chesterfield removed him from the fray midway through the second-half.

And at the very heart of the defence, Mark Sertori, returned to his more accustomed role at centre-back, and the impeccable Colin Alcide gave the Spireites' acclaimed strikeforce of Luke Beckett and David Reeves little more than morsels upon which to dine.

In the middle of the park, Marc Thompson, another fresh face to the starting line-up, brought some much needed bite to the City midfield and was perhaps unfortunate to get a red card to tarnish a tigerish display.

The challenge on Marcus Ebdon that earned his second yellow card was certainly rash. But he was perhaps unfortunate to be walking the tightrope after picking up his first yellow when the ball was there to be won in a 50-50 tackle with Beckett.

Up front David McNiven was back to his bustling best, so much so that the early injury that forced the withdrawal of Alex Mathie looked a perverse blessing.

McNiven's sharpness in the turn on a surface soaked with rain had the Chesterfield defence rattled time and again in the first-half and with a tad more luck he could have seen his season's goal tally move into double figures.

Chesterfield's only efforts of note in the first-half were a low grubber from Beckett that forced a comfortable save from goalkeeper Alan Fettis and a Lee Richardson shot from the edge of the area that skimmed past the City upright.

In contrast, City certainly spawned the better chances with McNiven the focal point.

A fierce drive had Mike Pollitt in the Chesterfield goal at full stretch, another goal-bound effort cannoned off the heels of a fortunate defender, while a curling shot from the edge of the area, the culmination of a flowing six-man move, came back off the crossbar.

It was perhaps no surprise given recent City showings then that Chesterfield took the lead early in the second-half with their first real effort on target.

A hopeful ball into the box was knocked clear to the edge of the City area and Rob Edwards lashed it into the bottom corner with a sweetly-struck volley.

From such a crushing and cruel blow, however, City's determination to bounce back was as welcome as it was unusual

Granted, Chesterfield could have added to their tally as at last they started to flex their table-topping muscles.

Beckett was only denied a clear run in on goal by a superb challenge from Jones before Fettis produced a stunning double save to deny both the ex-Chester hitman and Roger Willis at the death.

But unlike other performances when in the face of adversity City have preferred to lick their wounds the Minstermen did their best to overcome the sense of injustice at being 1-0 down and Thompson's dismissal.

Iwelumo and McNiven both had sight of goal before James Turley nudged an effort the wrong side of the post. The impish teenager almost snatched a point with a shot that Pollitt could only palm away.

In the midst of such testing times it was heartening stuff and the crumbs of comfort from last night's showing will stave off the starvation for the time being.

York City:

Scorers: None

Alan Fettis 8, Barry Jones 7, Mark Sertori 7, Colin Alcide 8, Neville Stamp 7, Steve Agnew 7, James Turley 7 , Graham Potter 5 (Scott Jordan 70mins, 6), Marc Thompson 6, Chris Iwelumo 6, Alex Mathie (David McNiven 12mins, 8)

Subs not used: Russ Howarth, Mark Bower, Matt Hocking

Bookings: Jones 11mins (foul), Agnew 31mins (foul)

Sent-off: Thompson 82mins (two bookable offences)

CHESTERFIELD:

Scorers: Edwards 52mins

Mike Pollitt, Rob Edwards, Ryan Williams (Chris Beaumont 72mins), Steve Blatherwick, Ian Breckin, Steve Payne, Lee Richardson, Marcus Ebdon, Jamie Ingledow, Luke Beckett, David Reeves (Roger Willis 80mins)

Subs not used: Joel Armstrong, Lawrie Dudfield, Danny Williams

Bookings:Beckett 16mins (foul)

Sent-off: None

Attendance: 2,570

Referee: Chris Foy (St Helens)