Two points dropped or one point gained? York City fans are probably still scratching their heads at the poser after a rather odd Bootham Crescent encounter.

After David McNiven's sublime equaliser midway through the second half, City had enough chances to seal their first home win of 2001.

The Hartlepool goal certainly led a charmed life as the clock ticked down and a suddenly vibrant, gung-ho City moved in for the kill.

Lee Bullock, who had set up McNiven's equaliser with a pin-point 50-yard cross-field pass, curled a shot just wide of the upright and saw another goal-bound effort charged down before Mark Bower headed over from five yards and 'Pool defender Chris Westwood was fortunate not to turn Lee Nogan's cross into his own net.

That City failed to finish off a creaking United in a rousing, frenetic finale left them a nagging sense of disappointment.

But it made a welcome change to see City finish a home game on such a high note and helped dull the memory to what had gone before.

For while the point was the least City deserved for their barnstorming ending, for nigh on an hour their play had suggested it was going to be another disappointing outcome.

The first half in particular was uninspiring, from Hartlepool just as much as City, and gave little indication of what was to follow.

Perhaps City's last two performances had raised expectations to unexpected levels. And perhaps also they deserve credit for at least curtailing a supposedly in-form Hartlepool side.

For rarely did the visitors resemble a side that had gone 14 matches unbeaten to close in on an automatic promotion spot.

But that final 20-odd minute flourish was in stark contrast to a decidedly tepid first half that produced just two incidents of note.

The first was Pool's opening goal on nine minutes.

While City could perhaps have done more to close Sam Shilton's cross from the left there was no denying Kevin Henderson's soaring header was unerring in its accuracy.

The only other talking point came four minutes later when City, for the second successive week, were denied what seemed a certain penalty.

Wayne Hall tried to curl his free-kick around the near-side of the Hartlepool wall only for Craig Midgley to stick out an arm and block the ball.

The referee was probably unsighted but the linesman was just yards from the incident yet he stood motionless.

What remained of the first half was largely forgettable.

To give Hartlepool the benefit of the doubt, they were a goal to the good and perhaps saw no reason to force the issue.

Indeed, Henderson's goal and a Midgley grubber in the second half aside Alan Fettis in the City goal remained relatively untroubled for the remainder of the game.

Significantly too, Hartlepool failed to force a corner in the entire 90 minutes.

But given City's first-half inability to string more than two passes together of any note 'Pool's cautious play was perhaps understandable.

Bullock, Steve Agnew and Nick Richardson worked tirelessly to pick-pocket possession in midfield but time and again once it was won it was all too easily lost.

With no City player willing to take the initiative and move into space to receive the pass, the man on the ball was left with little option but to pass backwards and leave it for a defender to hoof the ball forward.

To be blunt, City simply played like a side treading water in the first half.

It is to their credit then that City battled through, stuck to their task and came back to claim a point and very nearly all three.

Mercifully, the equalising goal was worth the entrance money alone.

Debutant Richard Cooper won possession and played a considered pass to Bullock who, showing tremendous vision, unleashed a 50-yard cross-field pass to pick out McNiven.

The City striker took the ball down on his chest, composed himself and slotted the ball past Anthony Williams in the 'Pool goal.

In coming back as they did, perhaps City laid another significant bogey to rest, proving they can rise above the weight of home expectation.

Safety aside, it leaves them with perhaps just one sizeable goal to achieve - a home win, something not savoured in 2001.

The way they ended on Saturday suggests it could well be achieved soon, and no better time than tomorrow night when Southend will be the visitors to Bootham Crescent.

Footnote: City's last conquest on home turf was on December 2 when they toppled Shrewsbury 2-1. That man McNiven was on target for the first goal, and what proved to be the winner was hit by midfielder Kevin Hulme, who is currently out injured.

York 1, Hartlepool 1

York: Alan Fettis 7, Richard Cooper 6, Barry Jones 7, Matt Hocking 8, Mark Bower 7, Wayne Hall 6 (David McNiven 55mins, 7), Lee Bullock 8, Steve Agnew 6, Nick Richardson 6, Lee Nogan 7, Scott Emmerson 6 (Colin Alcide 66mins, 6).

Subs, not used: Russ Howarth, Leigh Wood, Alex Mathie. Booked: None

Hartlepool: Anthony Williams, Neil Aspin, Chris Westwood, Michael Barron, James Sharp, Sam Shilton, Tommy Miller, Adam Boyd (Ian Clark 77mins), Kevin Henderson (Tony Lormor 77mins), Craig Midgley (Lee Fitzpatrick 77mins).

Subs not used: Martin Hollund, Darren Knowles Booked: None Sent off: None.

Man of the match: Matt Hocking Just shaded the accolade from Lee Bullock. Made several telling and well-timed interceptions to deny 'Pool sights of the City goal.

Updated: 13:08 Monday, March 05, 2001