MICHAEL Ingham pulled off four vital saves to earn York City a 0-0 draw with old foes Luton.

The former Northern Ireland international came out on top in one-on-one situations to deny Hatters pair Mark Cullen and Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu.

He then went on to produce an incredible reflex save to deny substitute Luke Rooney before spreading himself to keep out a near-post Luke Guttridge effort.

While the visitors created the better clear-cut chances, the game was still an even contest and good chances for Tom Platt and Lindon Meikle were also saved well by Luton keeper Mark Tyler.

City made one change to the side that started Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Burton with midfielder Tom Platt replacing Anthony Straker on the right flank.

John Still’s Luton team included former Minsterman Jonathan Smith in their midfield.

The hosts managed the first goal attempt of the night on 14 minutes but Wes Fletcher’s low shot, after cutting in from the right, lacked the power to trouble Hatters keeper Tyler.

Moments later, a firmer effort by Femi Ilesanmi from 25 yards was parried to safety by Tyler before Luton squandered a glaring opportunity to forge in front on 21 minutes.

Jake Howells’ left-wing cross picked out centre-back Alex Lacey at the far post two yards from goal but he headed wide to the delight of the David Longhurst Stand.

An excellent Michael Ingham save then kept City on level terms.

The former Northern Ireland international kept out Cullen’s low shot after the visitors’ striker had charged on to Guttridge’s hooked pass through the left channel and bore down on the Minstermen’s goal.

At the other end, Michael Coulson’s tame 15-yard shot was comfortable smothered by Tyler but the ex-Peterborough keeper needed to be alert to push Meikle’s near-post strike after the City winger had tricked his way past right-back Curtley Williams.

Skipper Penn also teed up Platt for a 12-yard opportunity in the inside-right channel but he drilled his shot straight at Tyler.

A deflected 20-yard Guttridge drive then spun wide and brought an end to first-half proceedings.

City started the second period brightly with a long-range Luke Summerfield strike deflecting wide off team-mate Wes Fletcher.

The latter then neatly sidestepped an edge-of-the-box challenge from Luke Wilkinson before lifting his sidefooted effort high into the home fans.

Luton went close again, though, on 53 minutes when Lacey headed over from a Guttridge corner and Ingham denied Ruddock Mpanzu in another one-on-one situation after he had charged powerfully through the right channel to latch on to Guttridge’s forward pass.

Ingham went on to save low to his left from substitute Rooney following the consequent corner.

City responded on 68 minutes when good work by substitute Straker and Fletcher teed up a ten-yard chance for Penn that was smothered well by Tyler.

Coulson also headed over from a Marvin McCoy cross has the hosts began to crank up the pressure.

But City had their keeper to thank once more on 74 minutes when Ingham threw out his left arm to make a brilliant reflex save to push Rooney’s powerful drive over the bar after the Luton substitute had burst past McCoy.

Five minutes from time, Ingham then spread himself well to deny Guttridge to earn himself and his team a much-deserved clean sheet.


York City

Michael Ingham STAR MAN 9.

Marvin McCoy 7.

Femi Ilesanmi 8.

John McCombe 7.

Keith Lowe 8.

Tom Platt 6.

Russell Penn 7.

Luke Summerfield 7.

Lindon Meikle 7.

Michael Coulson 6.

Wes Fletcher 7.

Subs: Anthony Straker (for Platt 63, 7), Jake Hyde (for Meikle 80), Ryan Jarvis (for Fletcher 86). Not used: Jason Mooney, Lewis Montrose, Dave Winfield, Ben Hirst.

Luton Town

Mark Tyler; Curtley Williams, Luke Wilkinson, Alex Lacey, Scott Griffiths; Andy Drury, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, Jonathan Smith (Jim Stevenson 62), Jake Howells (Luke Rooney 52); Luke Guttridge, Mark Cullen (Ross Lafayette 83). Subs not used: Alex Wall, Elliott Justham, Shaun Whalley, Paul Connolly.

Referee: Mark Brown (East Yorkshire).

Bookings: none.

Red cards: none.

Attendance: 3,649 (445 Luton fans).

Shots on target: City 7, Luton 5.

Shots off target: City 4, Luton 3.

Corners: City 3, Luton 6.

Fouls conceded: City 9, Luton 4.

Offsides: City 1, Luton 2.