Kettering Town 1 York City 1: Minstermen fail to capitalise on chances as the leaders loom

They also suffered misfortune, Jamie Reed and Chris Smith hitting the bar and David McGurk having an effort cleared off the line but it was their profligacy which ensured the outcome was 1-1 when it could easily have been 6-1 in the Minstermen’s favour.

York were much the better side with goalkeeper Michael Ingham making only one save.

By contrast, Willie Gueret was overworked in Kettering’s goal as the shots count of 20 against eight shows all too clearly.

Reed, who hit the bar after two minutes, scored from the penalty spot after James Meredith had been tripped by Luke O’Neill. Reed’s shot was not a good one, but Gueret’s parry enabled Reed to score from the rebound.

Ashley Chambers then failed twice with only Gueret to beat before making a hash of a pass which would have set up Peter Till.

Levi Mackin shot inches wide and Jonathan Smith too high early in the second half before Kieron St Aimie equalised with a fortunate header which had been deflected to him off Meredith.

How Kettering held out is a mystery as Michael Rankine and Reed, shot wide before Rankine, who had never previously missed a penalty, rocketed a spot-kick wide after David McGurk had been fouled in the 86th minute.

In stoppage time, McGurk had a shot cleared off the line, Chris Smith’s header hit the bar and Rankine failed to beat Gueret.

Manager Gary Mills said: “We should have been out of sight by half-time. Still it was another point and now for the big game against leaders Crawley on Tuesday.”

Kettering Town: Gueret; O’Neill, Flanagan, McKoy, Davis; Wilson, McDonald (Solkhon 70), Noubissie, Kelly (Mills 59); Mama, Cunnington (St Aimie 63). Unused substitutes: Challinor, McRae.

York City: Ingham; Parslow, C Smith, McGurk, Meredith; Mackin, Boucauad, J Smith; Till (McDermott 63), Reed, Chambers (Rankine 19). Unused substitutes: Darville, Barrett, Constantino.

Referee: A Hendley (Haiesowen).

Man of the match: Jamie Reed.