YORK City came unstuck against bogey side Maidstone for an eighth time.

A 1-1 draw at Bootham Crescent meant the Minstermen have still never beaten the modest Kent outfit, sharing the spoils now in four contests and losing the same number of matches since the two clubs first met more than 27 years ago.

On an afternoon when equal opportunities were promoted during City’s annual Football v Homophobia fixtures, both sides had chances to come out on top in this latest clash.

The hosts should have probably wrapped up matters by the break, but only had Jon Parkin’s early strike to show for their first-half dominance.

Maidstone then assumed control of the second period, levelling within two minutes of the restart through Reece Prestedge before threatening to claim a first away win since September after Gary Mills’ men lost influential midfielder Simon Lappin to injury.

The difficulties of the afternoon could not have been foreseen when City, displaying all the confidence of a side that have still lost just one game in their last ten games, swept into a third-minute lead for the second successive weekend.

The goal was a virtual carbon copy of the second at Nuneaton in the FA Trophy but, instead of Vadaine Oliver sliding in to convert from four yards at the near post after Sean Newton had been sent tearing through the left channel by Amari Morgan-Smith, it was Parkin who stole in front of his markers to profit from the same players’ link-up play.

Maidstone almost hit back immediately when Jack Paxman played Joe Pigott through the left channel but, after his shot was parried by Kyle Letheren, midfielder Stuart Lewis could not direct his follow-up header into a gaping net.

The rest of the half belonged to City, though, as a succession of openings were created.

Skipper Simon Heslop initially went close with a couple of dangerous edge-of-the box efforts – the first flashing narrowly over and the second beaten away by Stones keeper Lee Worgan.

Parkin should then have done better on 13 minutes when he was picked out unmarked by Alex Whittle’s left-wing cross, but could not steer his far-post volley on target.

The 35-year-old veteran went on to leave a low Heslop centre from the opposite flank, providing Morgan-Smith with a clear sight of the visitors’ goal.

But the on-loan Cheltenham striker was even more profligate, as he curled wide from ten yards.

On 38 minutes, Parkin went closer when he thumped another far-post volley, reminiscent of the great Marco Van Basten in technique and timing, against the frame of Worgan’s goal, while a rising 25-yard Lappin drive proved a comfortable height for Worgan.

Away boss Jay Saunders responded to his team’s travails during the opening period and replaced defender Anthony Acheampong with winger Alex Flisher at the break.

The switch reaped instant dividends, as Flisher caused problems with his penetration down the left flank and posed questions from a series of long throws, often won by himself on that side of the pitch.

Maidstone drew level just seconds after Oliver’s shot had been kept out at his near post by Worgan following Heslop’s strong run down the right.

From the resulting counter attack, Flisher got the better of Hamza Bencherif and, when his cross was not adequately dealt with, Prestedge unleashed a well-struck, 25-yard drive that beat Letheren low to his left.

At the other end, Lappin curled wide from a free kick, but he departed the action after twisting awkwardly in his own penalty box and City missed his experienced head and ability to control the pace of the game.

A more frenetic encounter ensued and centre-back Kevin Lokko might have headed his team in front twice in as many minutes.

First, Lokko forced a close-range save from Letheren after Flisher’s long throw had been allowed to bounce in the home side’s six-yard box.

Then, he headed over from the resulting corner.

For the Minstermen, Heslop’s 20-yard shot was deflected away from goal by Tom Mills and Parkin’s long-distance attempt lacked the pace to trouble Worgan.

Hearts were in home mouths on 79 minutes, however, when Letheren appeared to slide into the back of Prestedge, only for the latter to be booked for simulation after he crashed to the deck.

After Oliver sliced wildly wide of the near post from a promising position, City were also forced to survive a flurry of stoppage-time corners before holding on to the point that importantly kept their opponents within striking distance in the National League’s lower reaches.

City

Kyle Letheren, Hamza Bencherif, Yan Klukowski, Dan Parslow, Simon Heslop, Simon Lappin (Lanre Oyebanjo, 55), Sean Newton, Alex Whittle, Vadaine Oliver, Jon Parkin, Amari Morgan-Smith. Subs not used: Scott Fenwick, Danny Holmes, Adriano Moke, Shaun Rooney.

Maidstone

Lee Worgan, Jamie Coyle, Kevin Lokko, Anthony Acheampong (Alex Flisher, 46), Seth Nana Twumasi, Jack Paxman (Bobby-Joe Taylor, 74), Reece Prestedge, Stuart Lewis, Tom Mills, Joe Pigott, Delano Sam-Yorke. Subs not used: Harry Phipps, Yemi Odubade, Jamar Loza.

Maidstone star man: Flisher – sparked his team into life

Referee: Peter Wright rating: 6/10 – made several misjudgements

Booked: Twumasi 49, Bencherif 51, Prestedge 79.

Attendance: 2,816 (219 from Maidstone)

Shots on target: City 6, Maidstone 3

Shots off target: City 7, Maidstone 2

Corners: City 2, Maidstone 7

Fouls conceded: City 14, Maidstone 8

Offside: City 4, Maidstone 2