"I would have felt like Robin Hood if we had won here and after what happened at City in 1983 I could never have set foot back in Manchester," Pleat said after the 0-0 draw at the City of Manchester Stadium.
"We were very much on the back foot in the second half, but we defended well and I couldn't fault the effort.
"I would give nine out of ten for determination, but we lacked quality and gave away possession far too often."