LENELL JOHN-LEWIS opened his account for the season as York City clinched a last-gasp 1-1 draw with Aldershot Town.

After Aaron Jones’ opener in the first-half, City claimed a late draw in Hampshire after John-Lewis prodded the ball home from close-range following some close control by Dipo Akinyemi.

Despite the late point and York not leaving the EBB Stadium empty-handed, supporters will feel disappointed at a below-par performance that wasn’t an easy watch.

The Minstermen were also struck by a double blow, as injuries to both David Stockdale and Callum Harriott meant the pair were forced into substitutions, as Michael Morton’s side continue to struggle to find their first victory of the Vanarama National League season..

Aldershot had begun their season struggling to find consistency, after a thumping 5-1 victory against newly-promoted Oxford City was followed up by defeats to both Oldham Athletic and Ebbsfleet United.

York on the other hand are still yet to taste victory, a run which will continue into round five of the National League fixtures with a trip to Dorking Wanderers up next.

Defeats to Wealdstone and Kidderminster Harriers were followed by an encouraging 2-2 draw against bogey side Altrincham, with York currently sitting in 21st position in these early stages.

It was also a chance for Tyler Cordner to return to the club he was adored at last season, winning numerous awards and standing out in the Shots’ back-line last campaign.

Aldershot recognised this with a tribute in their matchday programme, that wasn’t necessarily reciprocated by the Shots’ supporters.

Morton made two changes to the side that claimed a point against Altrincham in midweek, with Ryan Fallowfield making his first appearance of the season after serving his three match suspension.

Maziar Kouhyar was also reintegrated into the starting eleven in a straight swap for Zanda Siziba, whilst Fallowfield replaced Thierry Latty-Fairweather.

Dan Pybus and Alex Hurst were nowhere to be seen in the squad after the allegations during the week, whilst the club have said that all issues have since been sorted.

With focuses returning to the field, it was Aldershot who quickly established themselves in the early stages of the match.

Ollie Harfield saw a powerful effort ripple the side netting, before Stockdale was called into action to deny former Maidstone United forward Jack Barham from opening the scoring.

Brighton & Hove Albion Albion loanee Lorent Tolaj headed wide of the target, before Levi Andoh mustered York’s first opportunity, forcing Jordi Van Stappershoef into a low save.

Aldershot came even closer to having their breakthrough as Tolaj’s cross was met by an unmarked Josh Stokes on the edge of the box, and his goalbound strike was heroically kept out by Fallowfield.

And again Tolaj was involved and coming close to nabbing the first of the afternoon, producing a powerful shot that forced a superb save by Stockdale again.

Quevin Castro is still looking for his first goal contribution of the season and came close, after latching onto a loose ball and striking from distance, but scuffing his effort wide of the target.

And with Aldershot in control, it was the hosts who broke the deadlock on the verge of half-time.

A lovely pass from Barham saw Jones race in behind the stranded City defence, before Jones’ coolly slid the ball past Stockdale.

Olly Dyson nearly prompted an immediate response with some nice footwork, seeing the midfielder break into space before testing Van Stappershoef from distance.

Heading into the second half, York showed improvements but still lacked that flare that really tested Aldershot.

Some brave battling from Andoh allowed the defender to deliver the ball onto the head of substitute John-Lewis, but the captain steered his nodded effort wide of Van Stappershoef’s goal.

Dipo Akinyemi had back-to-back chances, first clearing the stand behind the goal from the edge of the box, before spinning his marker and forcing the Shots’ goalkeeper into a low stop.

Perhaps Akinyemi’s best chance of the match was when Cordner’s long ball was met by a mistimed header from Aldershot, seeing Akinyemi race in behind but failing to beat Van Stappershoef from a tight angle.

Cordner was again involved when making a crucial block, denying substitute Kwame Thomas from doubling the hosts lead.

Another Aldershot substitute Ryan Glover nearly confirmed the three points, as his mazy run was missing the finish.

And as the referee added nine minutes of stoppage time onto the end of the match, the Minstermen somehow sustained the pressure and got their equaliser.

Akinyemi turned provider again when picking up possession deep in the Aldershot box, before expertly picking out John-Lewis who able to prod the ball past Van Stappershoef to clinch York their second point of the National League season.

Aldershot Town: Van Stappershoef, Jones, Mnoga, Harries, Rowe, Harfield, O'Keefe (Burnett, 17), Frost, Stokes (Glover, 78), Barham, Tolaj (Thomas, 59)

Subs: Scott, Mullins

Goals: Jones (41)

Yellow card(s): Thomas (60), Jones (65), Frost (79)

York City: Stockdale 7 (Campbell 7, 45), Fallowfield 6, Cordner 5, Howe 6, Andoh 7, McLaughlin 6, Dyson 6, Castro 6 (John-Lewis 7, 45), Kouhyar 6, Akinyemi 7, Harriott 6 (Siziba 6, 68)

Subs not used: Hancox, Latty-Fairweather

Goals: John-Lewis (90+3)

Yellow card: Andoh (74), Cordner (84)

York’s star man: Levi Andoh. There weren’t too many standout performers for the away side this afternoon, but Andoh never shied away from his challenges and was a threat down the right-hand side.

Referee: David Richardson

Attendance: 2098 (308)

Shots (on target): 5 (3) | 4 (5)

Corners: 4 | 2

Offsides: 1 | 1

Fouls committed: 6 | 16