Mills pragmatic after mistakes allow Rovers to snatch a late draw

Mistakes by centre-back Chris Smith and goalkeeper Michael Ingham saw home substitute James Norwood snatch a late point for Dave Hockaday’s men after Jamie Reed had broken the deadlock from the penalty spot for York.

Despite their injury-time agony, the Minstermen are now unbeaten in nine league games and manager Gary Mills was focussing on the positives after seeing his team share the spoils against a Forest Green side that had won their last four league fixtures.

He said: “I would like to see their equaliser again but I do not think that the last 15 seconds should take anything away from a very good performance.”

In an even first half, York might have forged ahead on 16 minutes when Ashley Chambers struck the foot of home keeper Jonathan Bond’s right-hand post from eight yards.

At the other end, though, Yan Klukoswki also rattled Ingham’s upright with a swift shot on the turn from 10 yards out.

After the break, Forest Green began to get on top with James Rowe calling Ingham into action.

Klukowski also headed wide from a great opportuntity before Mills responded by making an inspired double substitution.

First, Reed was introduced, followed by Danny Pilkington and the pair combined to open the scoring. Pilkington released Reed in the penalty box and he was barged over from behind by Jamie Turley. The former Bangor City striker made no mistake from the spot, blasting high to Bond’s left on 83 minutes.

But Rovers grabbed a point when Smith allowed Matt Taylor to cross from the right and, when Ingham spilled, Norwood was on hand to net from six yards.

York City: Ingham; Oyebanjo, Smith, Fyfield, Meredith; Challinor (Parslow, 89), Kerr, McLaughlin (Pilkington, 79), Blair, Ashikodi (Reed, 73), Chambers. Unused substitutes: David McGurk, Adriano Moke.

Forest Green: Bond; Hodgkiss, Turley, Oshodi, Stokes; Rowe (Uwezu, 85), Bangura, Forbes; Klukowski, Taylor, Griffin (Norwood, 46). Unused substitutes: Bittner, Graham, Thomson.

Referee: J Hopkins (Essex). York man of the match: Scott Kerr.