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Match Report: Histon 1-1 York City |
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By Max Benson
City were unable to extend their nine-game winning run as they picked up a point from a tricky trip to Cambridgeshire.
A fine Ben Purkiss strike in the first half was cancelled out by Bradley Hudson-Odoi’s close-range finish to leave the Minstermen third in the table and only four points off the top.
It was an even game with few chances and the suspended Richard Brodie was inevitably missed in the City’s front line.
Michael Ingham was a surprising first name into referee Hendley’s notebook in the eighth minute after haring out of his goal and flattening Matthew Tidswell who had skipped free down the right channel.
Former Fulham trainee Hudon-Odoi then tried his luck from range, firing a speculative shot wide to the left of Ingham’s goal.
Martin Foyle’s team selection was given full justification when, on 20 minutes, makeshift right midfielder Purkiss lashed home after a fine team move for his first goal since last season’s FA Trophy semi-final first leg at Telford.
Capitalising on a Histon error, Michael Gash exchanged passes with Michael Rankine who found the former Gainsborough man who struck a sweet right foot shot into the bottom left hand corner from the edge of the area.
Tidswell tested Ingham minutes later after a Lanre Oyebanjo cross was only half cleared, finding space inside the area and striking an effort that City’s Northern Irish ‘keeper did well to tame.
It was in contrast to a largely direct first half when the Minstermen worked excellently as a unit just after half an hour, nearly doubling their lead.
Half the side were involved in a sharp passing move that eventually saw Levi Mackin win a loose ball before laying back to Alex Lawless who sent a vicious drive just over Danny Naisbitt’s crossbar from well outside the box.
The home side had the better of the opening exchanges, but City had definitely got to grips with Alan Lewer’s side as half time loomed.
Carruthers was next to try his luck five minutes ahead of the break, attempting a snap-shot with his weaker right foot that was deflected behind for a corner.
But it was Histon who forced an equaliser just before the interval.
Luke Graham conceded a free kick on the right, although he will argue he was being backed into, before Gareth Gwillim whipped the set piece to the far post where Hudson-Odoi tucked away just yards from goal.
It was a more open affair after half time and City almost regained the lead just before the hour.
Outstanding play from James Meredith led to a Carruthers cross that eventually found Gash who drilled in a low right foot shot that Naisbitt did well to parry.
City really should have been ahead for the second time a minute later.
Gwillim made an appalling error on the edge of his own box allowing Gash and Rankine to nip in as Naisbitt did just enough to put the pair off and snuff out the chance.
Hudson-Odoi then broke free down the left channel before aiming a low near-post effort that Ingham saved well to his right.
Mackin has a tendency to try the occasional audacious shot and the Welshman had Naisbitt scampering back in a panic as his 30 yard shot on the turn dipped just over the bar.
With the contest finely in the balance, Richard Pacquette was introduced at the expense of a tiring Gash as the Minstermen strived for a late winner to further close the gap on fellow title-challengers Oxford and Stevenage.
But, with play increasingly broken up by substitutions, City were forced to settle for a share of the spoils in a league game for the first time since October.
Line-Ups
York City (4-4-2) – Ingham, Parslow, McGurk, Graham, Meredith, Purkiss (Sangare 88), Lawless, Mackin, Carruthers, Gash (Pacquette 74), Rankine
Subs Not Used – Pitt, Barrett, Gall
Histon (4-4-2) – Naisbitt, Oyebanjo, Bygrave, Langston, Gwillim, Smith (Okay 90+3), Southam, Tann, Knight-Percival, Tidswell (Frew 74), Hudson-Odoi (Sparkes 90)
Subs Not Used – Stewart, Welch
Referee – Andy Hendley (West Midlands)
Yellow Cards – Ingham, Lawless (York City)
Man of the Match – Chris Carruthers
Attendance – 487 (est. 150 York)
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Upcoming fixtures at York City FC
24th August - AFC Barrow - 7.45pm KO
28th August - Altrincham 3pm KO
4th September - Rushden & Diamonds 3pm KO
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