NIGEL: NOT THE TIME TO PANIC
YORK boss Nigel Worthington believes all is not lost despite dropping two crucial points to Shay McCartan’s stoppage-time equaliser for Accrington.
McCartan cancelled out Michael Coulson’s penalty to earn a share of the spoils, a result which sees York drop out of the play-off places.
Worthington, whose side have not lost since January but have now drawn three in a row, believes there are plenty more twists to come before the end of the season however.
“I’ve said to the players not to be disappointed and it’s how your recover from the setback,” he said.
“It’s nothing to be ashamed off, we’ve had a terrific season and we’ll go again.
“We’re in a fantastic position, it’s an important point but we have dropped two points.
“The performance was once again solid with lots of energy and commitment from the players. But we’ve got to be more ruthless with the chances. We’ve done a fantastic job since the turn of the year and we want to see that through until the end of the season.”
The Minstermen started brightly and Coulson headed straight at Marcus Bettinelli just seven minutes in.
At the other end, Luke Joyce’s volley was held by Nick Pope on 18 minutes before Piero Mingoia and Kayode Odejayi both fired wildly off target from distance.
York nearly profited when Hayhurst’s 36th minute corner was not cleared, Ryan Brobbel shooting over from 18 yards.
John McCombe then mistimed his header after escaping Odejayi’s attentions two minutes later.
York ramped the pressure up after the break, Brobbel threading a well-weighted through ball for Coulson on 51 minutes whose effort was then blocked by Nicky Hunt.
Four minutes Adam Reed’s low shot was deflected clear before the same player fizzed a low shot just wide.
York’s pressure was rewarded on the hour though, Coulson sending Bettinelli the wrong way from the spot after Odejayi handled in the area.
Calvin Andrew could have doubled the lead on 78 minutes, not connecting with Hayhurst’s low cross when any touch would have been enough. And it was to prove costly, as Pope was caught out by Lee Molyneux’s drifting corner on 91 minutes, allowing the waiting McCartan to head in.
Accrington boss James Beattie said:“I think that epitomises what we’ve been about all season.
“The lads never know when they’re beat, they never lie down for anybody.
“I think the penalty was soft, to say the least, there’s another similar decision about five minutes from the end in the middle of the pitch and he just waved it away.
“That’s the spirit we’ve got inside the dressing room.
“Results elsewhere have been horrendous, so it could end up being the most important
point of the season.”