Former defender denies York

Tamworth skipper Chris Smith denied his former club victory with a late equaliser to cancel out Luke Graham’s first goal for the hosts at Bootham Crescent.

The Minstermen had appeared on course for a first home league success in ten weeks when Graham headed in Courtney Pitt’s cross seven minutes into the second-half.

But the visitors worked hard throughout and were rewarded as Smith fired home a rebound after York goalkeeper Michael Ingham had blocked an initial effort.

The Lambs had earlier wasted their best chance of the game when much-travelled striker Iyseden Christie hoisted an attempt over when well placed.

Recent signing Paul Harsley turned a Ben Purkiss cross over in reply as the home side struggled for any real fluency.

York improved after the break with Pitt having a 25-yard shot parried by Danny Alcock before his side appeared to be denied a penalty when leading scorer Richard Brodie was taken down in the area.

However, Graham soon headed them in front from Pitt’s delivery after his initial corner had been partially cleared.

That sparked them into their best spell of the contest, but crucially without further reward.

And they were made to pay with eight minutes remaining when Smith followed up to score and leave the home faithful contemplating more vital lost home points.

York City: Ingham, Purkiss, Sangare, Graham, Meredith, Harsley (Carruthers 78), Barrett, Clarke, Pitt (Smith 78), Gash (Rankine 73), Brodie

subs (unused): McGurk, Lawless

Goals: Graham (57)

Tamworth: Alcock, Tait, Wylde, Chris Smith, Lyttle (Shaw 50), Rodman, Mitchell, Jay Smith (Lake-Gaskin 62), Pritchard, Blackwood, Christie (Murdock 62)

subs (unused): Fankem, MacKenzie

Goals: Chris Smith (82)

Ref: J Collin (Merseyside)

Att: 2,863