DON’T PANIC. The Blue Square Bet Premier table may not make pretty reading three matches into York City’s season but there was still enough on show during the Minstermen’s 2-2 draw at Bath City to suggest Martin Foyle’s men will soon climb the ladder.

Dominating possession, York – and particularly Richard Brodie – spurned a number of excellent chances, while City showed character and determination to twice fight back from a goal behind.

Michael Gash’s resurgence as the third striker bought the former Ebbsfleet forward a goal with a sublime header, while Peter Till’s stunning half-volley secured the point which was the least for which York could have hoped.

What wasn’t pretty, however, was yet another howler – another individual error which cost the Minstermen dearly.

Adam Connolly’s high ball into the box, in the 66th minute, was speculative at best but Michael Ingham strode out into the middle of his box and missed it entirely – allowing Lee Phillips to steal in at the far post and net the simplest of headers.

That put Bath City 2-1 up and was the third error in the four goals Martin Foyle’s men have conceded this season, following Ingham’s failure to keep out a corner and Duane Courtney’s needless push in the back which led to opening day defeat against Kidderminster.

Irritating.

More so because City were, at times, obviously superior at Twerton Park.

They should have taken the lead just three minutes into the match. Daniel Parslow’s through ball deflected off a Bath defender into the path of Brodie, who did the hard work in going round Ryan Robinson but pulled his shot, admittedly from a tight angle, over the bar.

It would be an omen for the Angel of the North.

The Minstermen had the ball in the net shortly after but referee Mike Bull ruled out Djoumin Sangare’s header for a push.

Bath’s Phillips hit a post in the 12th minute but this was a fleeting moment for the home side, who struggled as Chris Carruthers ran riot down the left flank.

Robinson was left flapping on more than one occasion as crosses and set-pieces from the York midfielder caused anxiety. But, having established a foothold, City were hit with a Bath sucker-punch in the 38th minute.

Ingham had done well to save from Connolly low down to his left, but there was nothing he could do when Adie Harris let fly from 35 yards – dispatching a thunderbolt which flew into the top corner.

York’s response was impressively swift. Just five minutes later, they were level in a move started and finished by Gash.

The striker, a constant threat up front, showed strength to hold off two defenders just inside the Bath half before laying the ball off and sprinting into the box to head Carruthers’ cross past Robinson into the left corner.

Michael Rankine and Gash both had a chance to fashion a lead seconds after the break, but were unable to get a shot away, while Robinson had to be alert to clear from the onrushing Brodie ten minutes later.

But the Bath custodian should have been picking the ball out of his net on the hour mark.

Carruthers hit an unmarked Brodie just outside the box and York’s 2009/10 top scorer did superbly to chest the high ball down and take it round Robinson.

However with the hard work done, and the net gaping, the former Newcastle Benfield striker somehow managed to scuff it wide from just a couple of yards out.

Then came Ingham’s shocking howler and it seemed, despite their previous control of the game, that City might frustratingly leave Bath empty-handed.

Foyle brought on Till for Neil Barrett and the summer signing rewarded the switch with a stunning equaliser nine minutes from time.

A long clearance from Ingham was headed on by Gash and Till hit a first time half-volley from 20 yards into the bottom left corner.

It was no more than the Minstermen deserved and they could have won the game as time wound down.

Brodie’s miserable day was complete when his goalbound shot cannoned off the back of Gash, while the latter saw fierce drives from both sides of the box narrowly fail to hit the target as City were forced to settle for a point.


Match facts

Bath City 2 (Harris 38; Phillips 66), York City 2 (Gash 43; Till 81)

York City: Michael Ingham 5, Daniel Parslow 7, David McGurk 7, Djoumin Sangare 6, James Meredith 7, Alex Lawless 7, Neil Barrett 6, Chris Carruthers 8, Michael Rankine 6, Michael Gash 8, Richard Brodie 5.

Substitutions: Jonathan Smith (for Rankine 73, 6), Peter Till (for Barrett 73, 7), David McDermott (for Carruthers 82).

Subs not used: Young, Courtney.

Key: 10 – Faultless; 9 – Outstanding; 8 – Excellent; 7 – Good; 6 – Average; 5 – Below par; 4 – Poor; 3 – Dud; 2 – Hopeless; 1 – Retire.

City’s star man: Michael Gash – brilliant goal, excellent in the air and a constant threat. Unlucky not to get a winner right at the death.


Bath City: Ryan Robinson, Sekani Simpson, Gethin Jones, Danny Webb, Sido Jombati, Adam Connolly, Adie Harris, Marc Canham, Lewis Hogg (Hector Mackie, 90), Darren Edwards (Kaid Mohamed, 61), Lee Phillips (Jim Rollo, 86).

Subs not used: Matt Coupe, Jake Reid.


Booked: Hogg 70.

Shots on target: Bath 5, City 4.

Shots off target: Bath 2, City 6.

Corners: Bath 2, City 5.

Fouls conceded: Bath 9, York 10.

Offsides: Bath 1, York 4 Referee: Mike Bull (Chelmsford). Rating: Got couple of minor decisions wrong, otherwise officiated well.

Attendance: 1,066 (281 away fans).

Moment of the match: Adie Harris’ goal was superb, but City fans were cheering Peter Till’s drilled half volley equaliser to the rafters.

Mistake of the match: Michael Ingham got nowhere near high cross which gifted Lee Phillips a goal.


Head to head: Lewis Hogg v Daniel Parslow

York City’s makeshift right-back Daniel Parslow did a fine job shepherding the Bath City captain and playmaker.

Only once in the match, in the 90th minute, did Hogg get past Parslow and the midfielder was dominated.

Hogg got so frustrated with Parslow’s close attentions, he took a swipe at the Minstermen defender in the second period with a late tackle – leading to the game’s only booking.

Not only did Parslow marshall Hogg, he was also able to get forward – particularly in the first half – and supplied some dangerous passes.