City survive the whispering campaign

'I remember one game in London where we lost but we actually should have beaten the opposition. They had a bit of smugness about them but I think they got a surprise.

'At the end of the game they were very lucky to get a win and I think they knew it. I wouldn't have signed here from Newcastle if I had thought we were going to struggle.

' We have enough quality to make sure we stay up and I don't care what other clubs think. This type of thing only makes us more determined. We just go to other people's grounds and, although we show them respect, we go there determined to get among them and shake them up a bit.'

Fighting talk from Howey, a former England international who quite rightly feels he is personally deserving of a little more respect from fellow professionals.

It is talk, however, that needs to be reinforced by equally decisive deeds and the truth is that City still have much to do if this season is not to be the briefest of respites from the toil of the Nationwide League.

Though Joe Royle's team fought diligently for their 1-1 draw at Derby, it was a desperate contest in both senses of the word. The first half was devoid of incident apart from a clear penalty denied City in the opening minute and a shot past the post from Darren Huckerby. The second period began explosively with two goals and then slunk back timidly into its shell.

Howey was the scorer of his team's goal and a fine header it was too as he escaped the grappling Taribo West to head home Danny Tiatto's corner. Moments earlier Derby's Malcolm Christie had exchanged passes with Deon Burton to cross for Daryll Powell to bundle the ball in from two yards.

A rare moment of quality amid the slurry of huff and puff. Derby's attempt to struggle free of the bottom five is akin to that of a child with its coat caught in a door but they would appear to have more class than Saturday's opponents.

Royle remains under pressure and for him it is home form that is crucial. 'The longer this goes on the more tense it will become,' said Derby assistant manager Colin Todd. 'The financial penalties for relegation are huge. But that is not what drives the players. It is pride.'

An admirable sentiment but quality - not effort - will be crucial. And finding enough of that is no laughing matter.