A DOUBLE blast from South America failed to ruin Yorkshire Day for York City's Tyke terrier Wayne Hall.

Just like Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Manchester United, last night's result - a 2-1 victory for Middlesbrough courtesy of two first-half goals by Colombian Hamilton Ricard - was never meant to be the be all and end all.

Hall was the man of the moment, the centre of attention and rightly so.

And at least City followed up the faint glimpses of the weekend with a promising display against top-flight opposition who remained a class above.

York, particularly in the second-half, looked a team heading in the right direction; competitive and organised with glimmers of goal scoring potential and a goalkeeper yet again proving his class.

Just how many points Alan Fettis will be worth to the Minstermen cause come the end of the season remains to be seen. But on the evidence so far, double figures looks likely.

Just like Saturday, and as to be expected, the visitors posed the earliest threat.

Mark Summerbell dummied the ball before accepting the return from Alun Armstrong and closed in on goal only for Barry Jones to come across to divert the danger.

City replied in kind; Fox stole possession to release Hall, whose deep cross was met by a rising Lee Bullock, but while the youngster's header had direction it lacked pace to trouble Boro 'keeper Mark Crossley.

However, there were more anxious times in the City defence than in the Middlesbrough rearguard.

Ricard received a pass from Summerbell, had time to turn, look up and advance ominously unchallenged before seeing his shot deflected by Peter Swan.

From the corner, the Colombian international seized on the ball unmarked at the far post but dallied enough to allow Edmondson a smart block.

With Summerbell popping up here and there, Ricard dropping deep and Armstrong proving a constant thorn with his pace and directness, the City defence was stretched this way and that.

Jones had to be quick to deny Armstrong with another fine tackle as the front man cut in from the byline then Fettis took off from where he left on off Saturday by clutching smartly a lose ball at the feet of Summerbell.

City flickered; Duffield showed he is a goalpoacher with vision to unfurl a delightful 40-yard pass to release Darren Edmondson before firing in a dangerous cross that Steve Vickers had to head clear from a waiting Barry Conlon at the far post.

Just as the game was crying out for a goal, we were rewarded with two inside a minute.

Middlesbrough took the lead when a long punt from Craig Harrison was flicked on by Armstrong. As City looked for an offside flag, Ricard raced clear before casually flicking the ball past Fettis.

Boro's celebrations were cut to the quick almost immediately, however, when Steve Agnew swung in a deep cross from the right.

Conlon rose highest at the far post to knock the ball back across the face of the Boro goal to give Duffield a simple nudge home with his head.

More goals threatened when Andy Campbell flashed a curling effort the wrong side of the post and Matt Hocking recovered superbly to deny Armstrong a run in on goal with a sharp tackle after a costly-looking slip.

But it took a goal of true Premiership quality and individual brilliance to give Middlesbrough back their lead on the stroke of half-time - Ricard firing home dazzling 25-yard curling effort that gave Fettis little chance.

By comparison, the second-half was devoid of action but at least City looked more comfortable at the back and posed more threat to Crossley in the Boro goal.

Scott Jordan pulled a shot wide from a good position, Conlon sliced a trademark effort from distance high and mighty while Duffield went close with a sharp shot on the turn that missed by inches.

The expected fleet of substitutions did little to improve the tempo but Christian Fox missed a gilt-edged chance to level matters when he elected to shoot rather than square the ball to a waiting posse of City players and could only find the arms of Crossley.

Another top-class save from Fettis denied Campbell, who threatened to put the game beyond doubt when played in behind the City defence by Carlos Marinelli before Hall was substituted five minutes from time to a standing ovation.

In truth, it was not one of Ginner's best performances in a City shirt but his night's work was done and as the game petered out to the final whistle so was the work of his City team-mates and Boro.

Wayne Hall Testimonial

York City 1, Middlesbrough 2

(at Bootham Crescent, August 1, 2000)

York City: Alan Fettis, Darren Edmondson, Wayne Hall (Graham Potter 85mins), Barry Jones (Phil Hadland 64mins), Peter Swan (Mark Sertori 46mins), Matt Hocking, Lee Bullock, Steve Agnew (Scott Jordan 56mins), Barry Conlon (David McNiven 77mins), Peter Duffield (Colin Alcide 77mins), Christian Fox (Kevin Hulme 77mins)

Subs, not used: Russ Howarth

Goals: Duffield 30mins

Bookings: None

Sent off: None

Middlesbrough: Mark Crossley, Jason Gavin, Craig Harrison, Steve Vickers, Colin Cooper, Paul Okon, Robbie Mustoe (Neil Maddison 46mins), Mark Summerbell, Alun Armstrong (Mark Hudson 80mins), Andy Campbell, Hamilton Ricard (Carlos Marinelli 57mins)

Subs, not used: Stephen Baker, Brad Jones

Goals: Ricard 30mins, 45mins

Bookings: None

Sent off: None

Referee: Roger Furnandiz (Doncaster)

Attendance: 3,150