Goals change games always seems the most hackneyed of phrases.

But never could a clich so perfectly sum-up York City's first defeat in ten games.

A game of two halves would not be too far away from the truth neither.

For City had never looked in any danger of surrendering their unbeaten run in an opening 45 minutes which they dominated from start to all but finish.

City had tackled feverishly, played some half-decent football at times and looked in absolute control.

And when Mark Bower grabbed his first goal of the season on 34 minutes - firing home at the second attempt Nick Richardson's flick from a corner to give City the lead - the Minstermen looked odds-on to stroll to the most comfortable of victories.

Perhaps though it was all too comfortable against a Plymouth side that had looked totally bereft of ideas and interest for the most part.

Concentration has been the hallmark of City's climb away from the foot of the Football League but on Saturday they paid the ultimate price for some terrible lapses.

Goalkeeper Alan Fettis could have got away with wearing slippers and a smoking jacket for much of the first-half but with their first genuine effort on target some three minutes into injury time Plymouth snatched an equaliser from out of nothing.

Paul Wotton hoofed the ball forward more in hope than anticipation, but with the City defence dreaming of their half-time teas Micky Evans pounced.

He shrugged off the recovering challenge of Matt Hocking and poked the ball past Fettis.

The disappointment at such a careless goal was matched by the bewilderment that a toothless Plymouth had actually managed to level matters.

But as the second-half got underway it was soon clear a now rattled City had still not shaken off the effects of that sucker punch.

The Minstermen had already had two lucky escapes before Martin Phillips delivered a third teasing centre and as the City defence dallied, Evans pounced again and lifted the ball over Fettis.

There were still nigh-on 40 minutes on the clock remaining, but the goal proved a knockout blow.

From being so assured and in control with everyone wanting the ball in the first-half a disjointed City now looked pensive and uncomfortable every time Argyle moved forward.

Colin Alcide and Richardson made way for David McNiven and Alex Mathie as City went with three up front, but despite the changes the hosts rarely came close to grabbing an equaliser.

Lee Nogan drove a shot across the face of the goal while Mathie saw his drive from the edge of the area charged down by Craig Taylor.

But that was the sum efforts of City's second-half forays, a far cry from the first when Richardson, Nogan, Chris Brass, Richard Cooper and Lee Bullock had all tried their luck.

It could have been worse for City when a clearance by Fettis was charged down by Ian Stonebridge enabling the former Tottenham youngster to pass the ball into an empty net.

Fortunately for City and Fettis, referee John Brandwood had spotted the use of an arm by Stonebridge.

It was little cause for comfort though and if there was any to be found it came in the form of Chris Brass who, in the absence of Steve Agnew, was handed the skipper's armband and played a captain's role.

And while defeats are never welcome perhaps this could end up doing more good than harm.

Hitting rock-bottom woke everyone up to the reality of relegation and provided a much needed spur.

City have since worked hard to bring safety into view but uncharacteristic carelessness crept back into too many performances on Saturday.

If it took this defeat to refocus attention to the matter in hand then it might prove to be no bad thing.

* As City surrendered their unbeaten run stretching back more than five weeks, all the clubs below them - barring Barnet and Lincoln - gained points on Dolan's men.

Exeter City's 2-0 beating of play-off chasers Blackpool hoisted them above the Minstermen, while Carlisle also profited by a maximum haul thanks to a single-goal win over visiting Macclesfield.

Halifax and Darlington each shared the spoils against Leyton Orient and Hartlepool respectively.

Only Barnet perished. The Londoners' freefall continued at Scunthorpe, who came back from a goal down to win 2-1.

Third from bottom Lincoln now have another game in hand after their trip to Rochdale was called off because of a water-logged Spotland pitch.

* York City intermediates maintained their unbeaten start to their Youth Alliance Merit Division Northern Section Division One campaign with a 1-0 win over Rotherham United.

Adam Russell scored the winning goal to seal a fine performance by the City youngsters.

York City 1, Plymouth Argyle 2

York City: Alan Fettis 6, Richard Cooper 6, Barry Jones 7, Matt Hocking 6 (Mike Basham 60mins, 7), Mark Bower 7, Graham Potter 6, Lee Bullock 6, Chris Brass 8, Nick Richardson 6 (Alex Mathie 75mins), Lee Nogan 6, Colin Alcide 5 (David McNiven 53mins, 5) Subs not used: Russ Howarth, Gary Hobson Booked: Brass 77mins (foul) Sent off: None

Plymouth: Romain Larrieu, Stuart Elliott, Paul Wotton, Craig Taylor, Jon Beswetherick, Martin Phillips, Jean-Philippe Javary (Wayne O'Sullivan 62mins), Steve Adams, Brian McGlinchey, Ian Stonebridge, Michael Evans (Paul McGregor 82mins) Subs not used: Jon Sheffield, Sean Evers, Michael Meaker Booked: Elliott 67mins (foul) Sent off: None

Updated: 11:31 Monday, April 02, 2001