TWO points lost, but York City can gain more kudos and respect from their next brace of games.

Doughty defender Barry Jones, who turned in a masterful performance at the heart of City's goal-less draw at Plymouth, welcomed the upcoming visits of Division Two front-running duo Watford and Bristol City to Bootham Crescent.

"The amount of chances we have created in the second half against Plymouth means you have to look at Saturday's game as two points lost," said centre-back Jones.

The result sent City back down to 12th place, with both Wrexham, Jones' former club, and Blackpool nudging ahead of the Minstermen.

Added Jones: "Once we got the ball down on the deck and started to play it around there was only one team in it. We made at least four good chances and should have won. It's a big difference when you can take all three points.

"But at least it's another clean sheet. Over the last ten games we have put together a lot of clean sheets. I believe what happened at Burnley was a one-off.

"Now we have got together some understanding at the back and down here we have stayed unbeaten."

That sturdy combination, maintained Jones, gave him hope that the Minstermen can extend their undefeated run in the brace of fixtures against the top two starting with the visit of the Hornets to Bootham Crescent on Saturday.

Jones was relishing the double-whammy. He enthused: "Both games are big ones for the club and they are the type of match every player wants to play in.

"It gives us a chance to try to prove ourselves against the two best teams in the League. I know I'm looking forward to it."

That City had not been able to prepare for the next two clashes with a win over the Pilgrims was bemoaned by City boss Alan Little.

"You only deserve to get something out of a game if you start well. But we didn't," he said.

"We were sloppy, we were not sure of ourselves and we were sluggish to start with. They got a bit of a rollicking at half-time and they did respond. They got themselves together and that was most pleasing."

The manager was also pleased that City had displayed a defensive solidity that enabled the Minstermen to double their undefeated run to two games.

"That may not sound a lot, but we stopped Plymouth getting even a corner in the second-half. The defence was superb and in anyone's language a point away from home is still a good point.

"I was also pleased with Rodney Rowe. Though he missed a few chances he was a lot livelier than he has been for a while after he came on. I thought he contributed much to us playing better. We need his strength and his presence."

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