YORK City supporters were left cursing their team's luck following the 13th draw of a frustrating season.

A debut goal from new striker Emile Sinclair gave City a 70th-minute lead against high-flying visitors Burton, following a cleverly-worked free-kick routine straight off the Wigginton Road training ground.

But, two minutes from time, Brewers substitute Adam McGurk fluked an equaliser and the Minstermen were sharing the spoils again, with only Charlton Athletic on 14, having finished more league fixtures on level terms this season from the country's top five divisions.

Goals conceded in the final throes of matches, from 88 minutes and beyond, meanwhile, have now cost the club an alarming eight points - the difference between their current perilous position above the relegation zone and a mid-table berth within touching distance of the play-offs.

City chief Russ Wilcox's desire to stress the positives at the final whistle, however, was understandable given his team had been the better side despite Burton's lofty position amongst the automatic promotion places.

His counterpart Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink - a lethal goalscorer for Chelsea and Holland in his prime - was certainly way off the mark when he claimed his players deserved to take maximum points from a match in which McGurk's intended cross represented their second and final on-target attempt of the afternoon.

In contrast, Brewers keeper Jon McLaughlin was forced into fine saves to deny Sinclair, Michael Coulson and Wes Fletcher.

His first stop came in only the fourth minute when Malvind Benning raided down the left before picking out fellow debutant Sinclair, whose smart eight-yard shot on the turn was pushed around his far post by the former Bradford City netminder.

John McCombe also lifted a 13th-minute effort over after McLaughlin had failed to hold on to Coulson's corner and Luke Summerfield and Sinclair both tried their luck from distance before Burton mustered their first shot of the game on 24 minutes.

On-loan Leicester striker Jacob Blyth fired wide from 25 yards under pressure from Brad Halliday and, shortly afterwards, he failed to connect properly and shot weakly at Bobby Olejnik after Kelvin Maynard's clever back-heel had released Stuart Beavon through the left channel.

After the break, McCombe flicked his head at Josh Carson's inswinging free-kick but the ball bounced wide, while Blyth lifted a five-yard opening over at the other end after McGurk's miscued shot had fallen to his feet at the far post.

>>>Click for full picture gallery from York City v Burton

Summerfield went on to head over from a Carson corner before City forged in front after Benning played a short pass to Coulson on the edge of the box with a free-kick from the right.

The ball was then swung into the box by Coulson, where Jake Hyde's header was retrieved at the far post by McCombe who, in turn, found Sinclair ready to pounce in the six-yard area.

A crucial moment, on 76 minutes, subsequently saw McLaughlin push over Coulson's firmly-struck ten-yard rising drive at his near post and, after ex-Minsterman George Taft signalled a warning when he headed narrowly wide from McGurk's corner, the Brewers' keeper was also quick off his line to snuff out a chance for substitute Fletcher.

York Press:

INSTANT IMPACT: York City's Malvind Benning puts the block on Burton's Kelvin Maynard

Both saves would prove instrumental in City's failure to rack up only a second home win of the season.

McGurk, without a goal in 18 matches since early September, had pepped up the visitors' attacking threat a little since his half-time introduction but his low curling cross, following a raid through the left channel, looked tame before it was allowed to creep inside Olejnik's far post.

Crestfallen City still saw Carson drive over from 15 yards before rookie referee Ben Toner blew his whistle to further enhance the club's reputation as pools coupon favourites.

MATCH STATS

Bobby Olejnik 6 – enjoyed his quietest afternoon for City before being deceived by McGurk’s late cross

Brad Halliday 7 – tigerish throughout, although efforts to carry the ball forward were not helped by poor pitch

Keith Lowe 8 – read the game well and took very few risks on unpredictable playing surface

John McCombe 8 – Star man won all his headers and never gave a quarter, whilst also claiming an assist for Sinclair goal

Malvind Benning 7 – disciplined defensively after a positive start that saw him tee up Sinclair for an early chance

Michael Coulson 7 – played clever part in the goal and also forced McLaughlin into a fine save

Russell Penn 7 – set the tone for a good opening with his enthusiasm and remained dogged through the game

Luke Summerfield 6 – found it hard at times to pick out his passes on unfavourable ground

Josh Carson 7 – plenty of industry and energy but team would benefit from more of the dangerous crosses he can deliver

Jake Hyde 6 – did not really get a sniff of goal prior to second-half withdrawal

Emile Sinclair 8 – forced a good early save and, after a little lull midway through game, finished strongly and got his goal

Subs: Wes Fletcher (for Hyde, 76).

Subs not used: Tom Platt, Anthony Straker, Lewis Montrose, Carlton Morris, Marvin McCoy, Lindon Meikle.

Burton: Jon McLaughlin, Phil Edwards, John Mousinho, George Taft, Damien McCrory, Kelvin Maynard (Lucas Akins, 41), Darragh Lenihan, Robbie Weir, Matty Palmer (Adam McGurk, 46), Stuart Beavon (Dominic Knowles, 78), Jacob Blyth. Subs not used: Scott Shearer, Liam Slade, Marcus Harness, Ian Sharps.

Burton star man: McLaughlin – fine saves from Sinclair and Coulson

Booked: Taft 43, Beavon 62, Fletcher 92, Edwards 93.

Attendance: 3,398 (445 from Burton)

Referee: Ben Toner (Lancashire) rating: 7/10 – did well on Football League debut

Shots on target: City 4, Burton 2

Shots off target: City 8, Burton 6

Corners: City 6, Burton 7

Fouls conceded: City 8, Burton 15

Offsides: City 2, Burton 2