YORK City's stadium might be called KitKat Crescent these days but the home side would surely preferred not to have had a break during last night's 0-0 draw with Stafford Rangers.

Until the interval, Billy McEwan's men were in complete control of proceedings, playing some crisp one-touch football and creating a number of chances while their visitors failed to muster a single attempt - on or off target - at Tom Evans' goal.

Stafford had been outclassed and must have left the pitch at half-time delighted still to be on level terms.

The second half, however, did not follow the same script.

A reshuffle by the visitors saw evergreen 41-year-old and former York schoolboy Neil Grayson switch from centreforward to the left-wing and right-sided midfielder Robin Gibson play in a more advanced role as Stafford employed a more adventurous 4-3-3 formation.

The Minstermen, meanwhile, lost their attacking impetus with Mark Convery and Craig Farrell, who had been at the fore of most of the first half's fine play, fading and debutant substitute Martyn Woolford was the only real cause for optimism in a flat second period.

Woolford, only recruited from UniBond League outfit Frickley Athletic on Thursday, made a confident start to his City career as a 58th-minute substitute, raiding down the left to good effect and sending a succession of crosses into the box that would have reaped a greater reward on another day.

City, however, were relieved at the full-time whistle for the extension of their unbeaten start to the season to a sixth game with Grayson and Guy Madjo having a couple of chances each to earn the visitiors maximum points.

Such relief, though, was only caused by City's failure to make their superiority count on the scoresheet during a one-sided first period.

Clayton Donaldson headed a Darren Craddock cross wide after just two minutes and fellow striker Farrell squandered an excellent opportunity to open his City scoring account moments later.

Farrell was sent clear on goal by a Donaldson header from Evans' long punt but fired too close to Stafford 'keeper Dean Williams, who turned his effort behind for a corner.

Donaldson then cut inside from the left and shot wide of Williams' near post on 19 minutes and Convery's low effort was saved shortly afterwards after Nathan Peat and Donaldson had combined to create the chance.

Next, Nathan Peat thudded a free-kick against the crossbar and Donaldson saw a close-range effort cleared off the line by Craig McAughtrie's chest before skipper Emmanuel Panther, still waiting for his first Minstermen goal, embarked on a strong run to the penalty box on 42 minutes but his eventual shot was too weak to trouble Williams.

A dominant first half display then culminated in a deflected Convery shot that spun inches wide.

At the other end, the nearest Stafford had come to testing Evans was a Ged Murphy shot that was brilliantly blocked by Ross Greenwood.

But Greenwood's next contribution was less impressive and set the tone for the second half.

The former Manchester United trainee headed a long Williams punt on 49 minutes into the path of Rangers striker Madjo, who fired wastefully wide with only Evans to beat.

McAughtrie then met a Kevin Street corner unchallenged but sidefooted wide from five yards out and Madjo almost capitalised on a misunderstanding between Evans and City right-back Craddock on 68 minutes but fired wide of goal.

Grayson, who appeared to get stronger as the game went on despite his advancing years, then twice went close to winning the game at the death.

The exRowntree Mackintosh front-man volleyed wide from 20 yards on 89 minutes and then, in stoppage-time, forced Evans to push a fierce strike around his near post.

Just like Evans during the first 45 minutes, Williams did not make a save throughout the second period although Donaldson might have done better when he was left clear on goal after the visitors failed to cut out a Farrell pass.

On this occasion, though, Donaldson could not provide the winning strike as he struggled to gain full control of the ball before slicing his shot wide.

Scoring responsibility needs to be shared more equally among Donaldson's teammates and the search for more striking options is still an understandable priority for McEwan.

Match facts

York City: Evans 7, Craddock 8, Dudgeon 7, McGurk 7, Peat 7, Greenwood 6 (Woolford 58, 7), Panther 6, Bishop 7 (McMahon 58, 6), Convery 7, Farrell 7, Donaldson 7.

Key: 10 - Faultless; 9 - Outstanding; 8 - Excellent; 7 - Good; 6 - Average; 5 - Below par; 4 - Poor; 3 - Dud; 2 - Hopeless; 1 - Retire.

Subs (not used): Reid, Parslow, Lloyd.

Star man: Craddock - assured throughout and joined in attacks well during promising first half.

Stafford Rangers: Dean Williams, Mark Bailey (Craig Lovatt 88), Craig McAughtrie, Wayne Daniel, Liam Murray, Robin Gibson, Lee Downes, Ged Murphy, Kevin Street, Neil Grayson, Guy Madjo (Brian Quailey 90). Subs (not used) Danny Edwards, Danny Alcock, Dolapo Olaoye.

Yellow cards: Convery 73, Bailey 82, Gibson 90, Lovatt 90.

Red cards: None.

Referee: Andrew Halliday (Catterick) rating: missed certain incidents in a patchy display.

Attendance: 2,995.

Weather watch: Mild September evening.

Game breaker: Half-time. A dominant City lost their momentum following the break.

Match rating: Some excellent football from City in the first half but the game disintegrated after the interval and Stafford threatened.

Billy's verdict: "We played very well in the first half but could not get the breakthrough and then we lived a bit dangerously."