Five Things We Learned from York City's 2-2 draw at Sutton

For the first time in seven games, City were not reliant on one or two of their three-pronged strikeforce for goals. Of Saturday’s starting XI, aside from attacking triumvirate Jon Parkin, Amari Morgan-Smith and Vadaine Oliver, only wing-back Simon Heslop and utility man Sean Newton had also found the net for the Minstermen this term.

It was encouraging, therefore, to see two different names on the scoresheet, with both marksmen – substitutes Scott Fenwick and Yan Klukowski - having been expected to contribute more in that respect when brought to the club last summer. Fenwick was recruited with the expectation of becoming the club’s top scorer, with a prolific Northern League pedigree and a respectable ratio after being given his chance in the full-time game with Hartlepool.

His subsequent return for the Minstermen, though, has been miserable with Fenwick’s 89th-minute goal only his second of the season, but the glancing header did suggest his poaching instincts haven’t deserted him completely and might make him a more attractive option from the bench in coming weeks when the introduction of substitutions offering game-changing potential could prove vital. Klukowski, meanwhile, came to the club with more than half-a-century of professional goals to his name but, having struggled to make an impression in the final third of the pitch during the first three months of the season, was converted into a centre back by Gary Mills with surprisingly, successful results.

He gave a reminder of his creative ability, though, teeing up Fenwick’s goal from a corner before blasting in a free kick for only his third goal of the campaign. Although it is always pleasing to see your first-choice strikers hitting the target on a regular basis, it is just as important that other squad members can complement their efforts and perhaps catch sides unaware due to their focus on nullifying the perceived goal threats.

2 The visitors’ strikers still did their bit in victory

Although City’s centre forwards had an off day at Gander Green Lane, it was still telling that Morgan-Smith and Oliver won the set-pieces that led to both of their team’s late goals. The endeavour of both has been excellent since being asked to flank Parkin up front and the pair demonstrated the value of continued hard work in football even if your quality is indifferent over the 90 minutes.

Next to nothing came off for Morgan-Smith prior to him getting his head down and motoring to the byline to force the important flag kick. Oliver, meanwhile, should have done better with two first-half chances on an afternoon of few opportunities for either side but, whereas last season he might have moped in such circumstances, the ex-Crewe striker was still an option for his team-mates deep into stoppage time when he was bundled over for the free kick that Klukoswki smacked in from a dangerous position.

Both forwards are currently demonstrating selfless streaks which, when also combined with a menace in front of goal, makes them invaluable members of the starting XI.

3 Artificial intelligence is an advantage

A tally of ten home wins for a side occupying a place in the bottom half of the table suggests Sutton’s 3G pitch has played a part in the Gander Green Lane outfit’s fortunes this term. Championship play-off contenders Leeds were also knocked out of the FA Cup on the artificial turf and Arsenal were pushed closer than Lincoln managed on the Emirates’ plush grass blades over the weekend.

With the sprinklers doing over-time on Saturday, Nicky Bailey certainly knew it was worth using the slick surface to help his 25-yard low strike gather pace on its journey into Kyle Letheren’s bottom-right corner. Equally, a home player probably wouldn’t have risked a back pass like the one that saw Sean Newton put through his own goal or, at least, avoided hitting it with the same venom.

But, despite those factors, some of the visiting teams’ pitch concerns can become psychological and it did not prove a deterrent as City surged forward with greater purpose at the death to snatch a point.

4 One of Parkin’s ridiculous long-range efforts will fly in soon

The Minstermen’s 35-year-old veteran has always had an eye for the spectacular and, since his return, has tried his luck, almost on a game-by-game basis, with goal attempts from seemingly outrageous distances. The latest at Sutton almost uprooted the corner flag from close to the halfway line but, anybody who witnessed his 40-yard howitzer at Cheltenham just weeks before the end of his first spell at City more than a decade ago, will appreciate Parkin is well capable of pulling off something out of the ordinary, so watch this space!

5 Pies are now off the menu at Gander Green Lane

Infamous meat-and-potato scoffing, reserve goalkeeper Wayne Shaw was not among the welcoming party at Sutton, having decided to move on after the excessive fall-out from his FA Cup antics against Arsenal. Pies were also conspicuous by their absence in the ground’s food kiosks, with Sutton still seemingly smarting from the controversy caused by the betting stunt.