Late equaliser costs City

Richard Brodie earned York City the lead after earlier missing a penalty, but they were eventually denied victory by a last-minute equaliser from bottom club Grays Athletic at Bootham Crescent.

Brodie’s ninth goal in his last six games appeared to put the home side firmly in control early in the second-half.

However, an error from new ‘Clubman of the Year’ Michael Ingham handed the ten-man visitors a shock equaliser in the final minute.

Grays earlier had goalkeeper Glyn Garner sent-off for bringing down Brodie midway through the opening period, only for substitute keeper Preston Edwards to deny York’s leading scorer from the penalty spot.

But this was another inauspicious display from the Minstermen, who were well below their best on a gloriously sunny afternoon.

Despite already being relegated and having a number of teenagers within their line-up, it was the visitors who went closest early on as Ingham saved well to keep out Kenny Davis on fifteen minutes.

But good work from Michael Rankine released Brodie seven minutes later, and he was taken down as he tried to round the keeper. Garner was sent-off and his replacement Edwards guessed correctly to save Brodie’s penalty.

Neil Barrett soon volleyed over and Levi Mackin was also wide as York continued to search for the opening goal.

Defender Luke Graham then had a header turned over by Edwards following a Mackin cross early in the second-half before Ben Purkiss’ through ball set free Brodie to open the scoring.

The Minstermen should then have added a second when Brodie’s cross from the right was turned wide by Barrett from six-yards.

Substitute Michael Gash also threatened with a couple of headers before Purkiss gave away a late free-kick and Ingham’s weak punch was returned by Duran Reynolds into an inviting net.

That cost the hosts fourth place and at present they now look likely to have to take on Luton Town in the play-offs starting later this month.

York City: Ingham, Purkiss, McGurk, Graham, Meredith, Lawless, Mackin, Barrett, Carruthers (Pitt 64), Rankine (Gash 69), Brodie (Pacquette 86)

subs (unused): Parslow, Harsley

Goals: Brodie (51)

Grays Athletic: Garner, Clarey, Reynolds, Dean, Davis, Graham (Agumbar 80), Cissoko, Harvey, Rhodes (Conteh 71), Osborn, Bayowa (Edwards 23)

subs (unused): Glowacki

Goals: Reynolds (90)

Ref: R. Wigglesworth (South Yorkshire)

Att: 2,854