Last-gasp goal hands York City a sucker punch in Bromley draw

York’s strike force continued to thrive by adding a goal each to their tally, but it wouldn’t be enough for City to claim all three points after an initial equaliser from Michael Cheek, before Josh Passley equalled the scoreline in the 95th minute.

It was a chance for the Minstermen to claim back-to-back victories for the first time since April, after a thrilling 2-1 victory over Dagenham & Redbridge on Tuesday night.

But play-off occupants Bromley persisted to take advantage of some defensive fragility from City, with Passley beating Whitley from distance.

York’s first half mainly persisted of retaining possession and keeping Bromley at bay, before Akinyemi powered City ahead.

A perfectly-timed through ball from captain Lenell John-Lewis allowed Akinyemi to race through on goal, before showing his composure to calmly curl the ball past a helpless Grant Smith.

Bromley equalled the scores just after the hour mark, with Michael Cheek sliding the ball home from close-range after York failed to clear their lines.

The Minstermen reignited their lead in the tie with John-Lewis nodding the ball home from close-range, after some nice link-up play between Tyler Cordner and Scott Burgess.

But with seconds left on the clock, Passley’s long-ranged cross-shot evaded the City defence, before beating a disjoined Ryan Whitley between the sticks.

Ardley opted to make two changes from the side that defeated Dagenham & Redbridge 2-1 on Tuesday night, with Aiden Marsh and Zanda Siziba both dropping to the bench.

Captain Lenell John-Lewis came into the starting eleven, whilst midfielder Scott Burgess was handed his first start of the season after an impressive display against Dagenham in midweek.

This saw York begin the match in a 5-3-2, like they did in East London, whilst Bromley handed debuts to both Ryan Jones and Olufela Olomola.

The early stages of the match had the two Bromley debutants involved, with attacks down the left-hand side coming to nothing despite some early pressure.

Chin Okoli looked to test Ryan Whitley from distance, but was disappointed to see his effort lift into the stand from distance.

York looked to mount an attack of their own from Burgess’ corner, but Tyler Cordner could only slice an effort that allowed Bromley to clear their danger.

Cordner was called into action again as a Jones pass saw Michael Cheek race into space behind the City defence, but the retreating Cordner was able to divert Cheek’s strike away from goal.

But with the Minstermen maintaining the majority of possession and keeping Bromley from posing too much of a threat, Ardley’s side took the advantage.

Some consistent defending from Olly Dyson allowed his clearance to be delicately laid off by Akinyemi to John-Lewis, who poked a ball through back to his strike partner, with Akinyemi able to beat the offside trap before neatly sliding the ball past Smith between the sticks.

Bromley looked to immediately respond after Corey Whitely was fouled on the edge of the box, but Whitley was equal to Lewis Leigh’s stinging effort, parrying the close-ranged free-kick over the crossbar.

Heading into the second half, City had to handle some Bromley pressure with the visitors searching for an equaliser.

Jones’ cross flashed across the face of the York goal, just missing that final touch, before Josh Passley met Olomola’s cross, only to head the ball narrowly over Whitley’s goal

But with City showing defensive improvements all game, they were finally penetrated through a Cheek equaliser on the 65th minute.

Olomola found himself involved again, receiving possession from Jones before firing a teasing ball across the face of goal. His low cross somehow evaded a City clearance, before Cheek was on hand to turn the ball home at the back post.

The Ravens looked to turn one goal into two after Callum Reynolds tried his luck from range, but Whitley pulled off an exceptional stop to palm his powerful strike away from goal.

But with City slowly growing back into the game, ‘the Shop’ added another to his tally to hand the Minstermen their lead back.

Some excellent persistency from Cordner saw the defender turn defence into attack, before feeding Burgess the ball in a good position, whose cross was powered home by an unmarked John-Lewis at the back post.

City did have to defend their lead again with Olomola racing in behind to clinch a point on his debut, but some brilliant defending from Howe saw the 29-year-old catch up with his man before making a crunching challenge.

But with seconds remaining on the clock for York to claim back-to-back victories for the first time this season, Bromley were rewarded for their late pressure.

A long-ranged cross-shot from Passley somehow avoided a touch or block from the City defence, before a disjoined Whitley failed to deal with the effort to hand Bromley a point ahead of their long journey back to London.

The Minstermen now find themselves in 17th position ahead of their Emirates FA Cup clash with Needham Market next Saturday, October 14  (3pm).

York City: Whitley 6, Fallowfield- 6, Cordner 7, Howe 7, Smith 6, McLaughlin 6, Batty 7, Dyson 7, Burgess 7 (Harriott 6, 73), John-Lewis 8 (Kennedy 6, 73), Akinyemi 7

Subs not used: Castro, Marsh, Siziba

Goals: Akinyemi (36), John-Lewis (72)

Yellow cards: Cordner (26)

Bromley: Smith, Reynolds (Kpekawa, 60), Jones, Webster, Okoli, Whitely, Leigh (Arthurs, 75), Krauhaus (Vennings, 60), Passley, Olomola, Cheek

Subs: Sharman-Lowe, Pepple

Goals: Cheek (65), Passley (90+5)

Yellow cards: Leigh (55), Reynolds (55)

Referee: Aaron Jackson

York’s star man: Lenell John-Lewis. A goal and an assist for the City captain who was influential throughout the game and a constant problem for the Bromley back line.

Attendance: 4363 (204)

Shots off (on target): 2 (2) | 4 (5)

Corners: 4 | 6

Offsides: 4 | 3

Fouls committed: 13 | 11