Barrow 0 York City 0: York looking to home comforts after another blank day at Barrow

Matches between York City and Barrow are seldom pleasing on the eye and this was no exception in a poor contest played on a bobbly pitch and with an end-to-end wind.

The last four meetings between the clubs have ended goalless and the lack of attacking flair suggested that this would be another one in the dreary series.

The Minstermen would consider it a point gained rather than two lost in their bid for a promotion play-off spot and they were fortunate to come away with even one, goalkeeper Michael Ingham thwarting Richie Baker with a fine 85th-minute save, Paul Rutherford hitting the inside of the post a minute later and Mike Pearson shooting into the side-netting within a further minute.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The nearest York came to scoring was when Leon Constantine, their best forward, put an overhead kick inches too high seven minutes from time.

However, York did not manage a single shot on target in the 90 minutes and their failure to work the opposing goalkeeper continues to be a problem.

Forty-two goals in 32 games tells its own story.

But York, in seventh place, have eight games left at home and only four away and having won their last six in succession at Bootham Crescent still have a realistic chance of reaching the top five.

Manager Gary Mills, delighted that centre-back David McGurk has signed a new contract – he was a target for Luton Town in December – said: “It was a good point. It is never easy to come to Barrow, who are a good side at home. It wasn’t a great spectacle and there was never going to be many chances in the conditions.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We are well placed and I am looking forward to two exciting months to end the season.”

Barrow: Masters; Spender, M Pearson, Bolland, Edwards; Curtis, Ferrell, Sheridan, Baker, Rutherford; Cook (Almond 73). Unused substitutes: S Pearson, Goodfellow, Toner, Nicholas.

York City: Ingham; Darville, Parslow, C Smith, Meredith; Chambers (Racchi 68), J Smith, Kerr, Till; Rankine (Reed 68), Constantine. Unused substitutes: McGurk, Hatfield, Boucaud.

Referee: S Martin (Stafford).

Man of the match: Danny Parslow.