As it was in the first, so it was in the second - the respective City crews of York and Hull deadlocked.

UP FOR GRABS: Hull goalkeeper Steve Wilson snatches the ball off the boots of York City striker Marc Williams during Saturday's 1-1 draw at Bootham Crescent

One month on from the tedious draw at Boothferry Park a shoe-horn would have been hard-pressed to separate the adversaries.

At least however at Bootham Crescent the excitement quotient was way up on the opening encounter. From first to last either side could have finished in triumph, but neither fully deserved to win, even if Hull enjoyed the better moments.

And for all Saturday's goalmouth incident - too much for York's comfort in and around their own penalty area - it was a duel that did not seize attention for its guile or wiles.

Good and wonder stuff was scarcer than rocking-horse droppings. It was more thud and blunder stuff, though in the game's defence it was hard to let the gaze stray from the unfolding action.

That was largely due to the sheer effort expended by both foes and the extra zest afforded by the atmosphere generated by a genuinely good-sized crowd.

Both teams could not be faulted for work-rate. As the modern dictum would have it, each side had 'good engines', even if it was more stock-car racing than Grand Prix.

City's main creative force Scott Jordan was detailed with a shadow-shackling job on Hull play-maker John Eyre, thereby negating the York schemer's effectiveness.

And as a further blow the hosts lost the services of Steve Agnew, his worsening neck muscle injury forcing his replacement barely a third into the match.

Hull had seized the initiative by then. Without a win for five games the visitors came out of the blocks roaring like a drag-racing car. They should have had sped ahead within the first 19 seconds.

Mark Sertori's pass back to Bobby Mimms was under-hit enabling David Brown to poke goal-wards. Mimms smothered only for the ball to squirt to Colin Alcide.

He looked up and the York goal was empty. But in trying to be so precise his dallying deliberations caught up with him. By the time he let loose his shot Barry Jones gained enough ground to deflect the ball over the crossbar.

That entire incident reflected the contrasting fortunes that had beset both teams since their first engagement on September 25. York had gone on to four games undefeated, the last three being wins, Hull four without a win suffering three consecutive reverses.

Still, the Hull tempo was unrelenting, so much that Neil Thompson's men were virtually kicking for position in the mode of rugby union just to ease pressure. A full 18 minutes elapsed before York's first sortie, a rasping cross from Wayne Hall headed behind for a corner.

From his kick City almost profited. Jordan's low drive was parried by Wilson, Barry Conlon's follow-up shepherded off the line by Steve Harper.

The Hull wing-back had posed the main danger until Hall pushed up almost as an auxiliary midfielder to halt Harper's raids. It gave a semblance of security to City, who then inched in front two minutes before half-time.

Christian Fox, on for Agnew, scuffed a shot that landed straight to Marc Williams. He spun to create space, but Kevin Hulme was first to the ball, expertly swishing a curled shot around Steve Wilson's grasp.

But the pattern of the first-half extended into the second with Hull the more vigorous force and barely anything witnessed of the hosts' attack.

A sinuous run and cross from the by-line from David Brown bypassed the barrier presented by Chris Fairclough and in rushed Gareth Williams to equalise with a low shot. Laying a ghost must have been on Williams' mind. It was his own goal at Boothferry Park that gave York a share of the plunder a month before.

Nerves jangled as both goals came under threat. Hull captain David D'Auria twice tested the excellent shot-stopping ability of Mimms, City countering with deft Jordan passes almost freeing Anthony Ormerod and Hall.

For the second Saturday on the bounce City staged stoppage-time drama. Hulme swung in a cross finding Fox unmarked ten yards out.

The youngster pounced and pitched the ball towards goal. But unlike Matt Hocking's winner at Brighton, this time the miracle was Wilson's. The Hull net-minder unbelievably deflected the shot on to an upright and away to safety. Honours level.

Nationwide Division Three, Saturday, October 23, 1999

York City 1 Hull City 1

YORK CITY: Bobby Mimms 7, Barry Jones *8, Wayne Hall 7, Scott Jordan 6, Mark Sertori 6, Chris Fairclough 8, Kevin Hulme 6, Andrew Dawson 7, Steve Agnew 6 (Christian Fox 31min, 7), Barry Conlon 6, Marc Williams 6 (Anthony Ormerod 75).

Subs unused: Russ Howarth, Matt Hocking, John Williams.

Goal: Hulme 43 min.

Bookings: None.

Evening Press Unique Pub Man of the match

Barry Jones: His die-hard swoop after just 19 seconds to save City going a goal down started a trend of 90 minutes of admirable defence. His challenges were immaculately timed and his covering often in the nick of time.

HULL CITY: Wilson, Harper, Edwards, Whittle (Morgan 43min), Greaves, G Williams, D'Auria, Brabin, Eyre (Schofield 83), Alcide, Brown. Bracey, Whitney, swales.

Subs unused: Bracey, Whitney, Swales.

Goals: Williams 67 min.

Bookings: Greaves foul 61min.

Referee: Mike Pike (Barrow-in-Furness)

Crowd: 5,109.

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