Five Things We Learned from York City's 1-1 draw at Boreham Wood

City’s switch to a back four proved more unsettling than might have been expected, given the experience of the quartet Gary Mills fielded. Changes in defence are often the most disruptive, though, with Yan Klukowski’s absence in a deeper free position, where he has swept so efficiently since his conversion from midfield, meaning the back line lost some of its assuredness.

The hosts also applied pressure in the final third with the front two of Tom Hitchcock and Morgan Ferrier well supported by fellow attackers Bruno Andrade and Anthony Jeffrey down the flanks and Angelo Balanta through the middle. Mills’ men did adjust during the match with Parslow taking charge of the back line, although first Simon Heslop and, later, Adriano Moke were required to provide greater protection for Lanre Oyebanjo against the regular threat of Jeffrey with Vadaine Oliver playing a more central role in the 4-3-3 formation.

That again led to the big gaps between midfield and attack that gives Mills reservations about a three-pronged strikeforce.

2 Club stature counts for little in the National League

Despite Arsenal being without a fixture, little more than 300 home fans bothered to turn up in the Gunners stronghold, as the disparity in club size between the two teams was plainly exposed. But the National League has little respect for tradition or pulling power and Boreham Wood have fostered a small-club mentality and inferiority complex that is serving them well this season.

While recognising the clubs’ respective league positions, Luke Garrard talked afterwards about his satisfaction at taking a point against “a huge club” and a “huge manager” but, as his City counterpart acknowledged, the Hertfordshire outfit are no mugs and smart recruitment will always see them profit from their proximity to so many professional and semi-professionals clubs in and around the capital. It’s why John Still continues to enjoy success at the same level.

While Boreham Wood was once dubbed England’s Hollywood due to the world-famous Elstree Studios, the football club certainly don’t roll out the red carpet for visitors either. City’s players were sent on their long journey home with a cold shower, while clubs are made to pay for using DVD footage on their websites and scouts and journalists are charged for admission.

3 Mills’ side ARE on course to beat the drop – just!

With their team further from a position of safety than at any other point this season, it is understandable that City’s long-suffering supporters are growing ever more anxious about their team’s perilous situation. As manager, though, Mills must not show any signs of distress and his pleas for people not to be fatalistic about the club’s survival prospects are supported by statistical analysis.

City’s progress is unarguably being hindered by a struggle to turn draws into victories – Mills’ league record since returning as manager reads won two, drawn nine and lost six – but, even if the team maintains its current form levels, dating back to the 1-0 defeat at Tranmere when the former double Wembley-winning chief first declared he had a squad he can now rely on, then research suggests the club will be safe come April 29, albeit by the slimmest of margins. Nine teams now look to be contesting the four relegation spots and, if the points ratio of each continues in the same vein since that December 3 trip to the Wirrall, then the Minstermen would finish one place and one point above the drop zone.

Their final tally would be 45, which would see them trail Guiseley (58), Braintree (56), Sutton (55), and Torquay (49), but hover just above Southport (44), Maidstone (43), North Ferriby (43) and Woking (43), which still suggests that 91st-minute stoppage-time winner against Forest Green might be needed!

4 Vadaine Oliver and Amari Morgan-Smith could be effective strike partners if Jon Parkin requires a rest or system needs changing

There might come a time when Mills has to select two from three and decide against accommodating all of his main strikers. Each have their individual merits but, at times against Boreham Wood, the Minstermen looked outnumbered in midfield when the hosts spread five across the park and the visitors’ front three appeared isolated.

Despite the City boss’ insistence that Parkin will carry on starting games, he visibly tired in Hertfordshire – a feeling that was verified by Sean Newton’s instructions to the bench shortly before the 35-year-old veteran was replaced on 73 minutes. If Parkin is to find the upcoming, demanding schedule tough going, though, Oliver has shown signs that he is ready to lead the line if needed and Amari Morgan-Smith is also at his strongest anticipating the knockdowns in an orthodox front two.

Mills will now be looking carefully at his attacking options, as he considers what is right for the team and its individuals.

5 Parkin would be on eight goals for City and the team would have EIGHT more points if it wasn’t for the woodwork

Parkin has turned the old saying if you can’t be good, be lucky on its head during his second spell at City. His performances have generally been talismanic in attack, but the frame of the goal has now denied him five more goals to add to the three he has plundered in ten outings for the Minstermen.

At Boreham Wood, Parkin’s thumping shot on the turn smashed against the underside of the bar and four of his attempts against the woodwork have come in games that ultimately ended in draws, meaning the difference between an extra EIGHT points for his side. It is easy, therefore, to understand Mills’ talk about thin dividing lines.

Hopefully, another famous football adage – luck will even itself out over a season – can now ensure that Parkin gets his just reward in front of goal during a vital next two months.