York City 1 Barnet 1: Jackie McNamara defiant despite Minstermen slipping further adrift

The desperate Minstermen ended a run of five straight defeats with this draw, but slipped seven points away from safety after relegation rivals Hartlepool beat bottom club Dagenham 3-1.

Having hit the bar twice and mustered 10 shots on target compared to the Bees’ two, York merited maximum points.

But performances count for little as Jackie McNamara’s men attempt to save a sorry season during the 10 remaining games.

Rochdale forward Alessandra, who with fellow newcomer Scot Bennett has taken York’s loan signing tally to 17 this term, netted on 20 minutes when he followed up from 10 yards after striking partner Jake Hyde had hit a post.

Barnet’s 15-goal top scorer John Akinde always looked a threat and levelled on 37 minutes when he stole in front of Kyle Cameron and fired into the roof of the net from six yards.

After the break, Hyde, Alessandra and Danny Galbraith were all denied by goalkeeper Jamie Stephens.

Luke Summerfield also headed against the bar for the hosts, and substitute Bradley Fewster shot straight at Stephens in stoppage-time.

Akinde and Sam Togwell went close for the visitors during an exciting second period, with McNamara insisting: “I still believe we will stay up and that we can catch Stevenage especially.”

York City: Flinders; Hendrie, Winfield, Cameron, Ilesanmi; Galbraith (Oliver 90), Bennett, Summerfield, Coulson (McEvoy 77); Hyde (Fewster 66), Alessandra. Unused substitutes: Ingham, Carson, Dixon, Berrett.

Barnet: Stephens; Pearson, Nelson, Sesay, Johnson; Yiadom, Togwell, Champion (Shomotun 71), Gambin (Batt 87); Randall (Vilhete 60); Akinde. Unused substitutes: Muggleton, Gash, McKenzie-Lyle, Roberts.

Referee: M Haywood (Lancs).

Man of the match: John Akinde.