York City extended their unbeaten run to seven games with a goalless draw at Kidderminster Harriers.

Keeping a fifth clean sheet in the process, City might also have snatched victory after an indifferent first hour at Aggborough.

Substitute David McDermott rattled a post for the visitors soon after entering the proceedings and also went close to securing maximum points for the visitors with a second long-range strike at the death.

Manager Gary Mills made three changes to the side that started Saturday’s 2-0 FA Cup victory at Darlington.

With skipper Chris Smith unavailable, Greg Young earned a recall at centre-half and Daniel Parslow returned at right-back, allowing Robbie Weir to move back into midfield.

Jamal Fyfield was also rewarded for a series of lively substitute outings, being preferred on the left flank to the likes of Peter Till and McDermott, who were both on the bench.

New signing Andre Boucaud joined them on the bench despite fellow midfielder Jonathan Smith failing to pass a fitness test on his gashed shin. David McGurk, meanwhile, was handed the captain’s armband for the night.

A scrappy start to the match saw both sides struggle to conjure up a decent chance during the opening half hour.

Danny Racchi managed the first shot of a cold evening on 13 minutes, but his 25-yard effort only required a routine save from home goalkeeper Daniel Lewis.

An overlapping James Meredith then flashed a cross past Lewis’ far post after being fed down the left flank by Fyfield.

City defender Young, meanwhile, was the first player to call Michael Ingham into action at the other end when his miscued clearance from Matty Blair’s left-wing centre came close to breaking the deadlock.

Chris McPhee mustered the Harriers’ first genuine goal attempt on 30 minutes, firing wide of Ingham’s near post after a speculative flick off the outside of his boot.

The hosts then began to get a foothold in the game, winning the first corner of the match moments later when McGurk deflected Jack Byrne’s shot over after Parslow had blocked Lee Morris’ route to goal.

City survived a 32nd-minute scare when Lee Vaughan sent in an inviting cross from the right, which Tom Sharpe somehow contrived to miss with his head after charging into the visitors’ six-yard box unopposed.

McPhee also clipped the top of the crossbar with an overhead kick after Young had sliced a clearance up into the air in his own six-yard box, while Morris flashed another opportunity wide from an acute angle.

There was brief respite for the visitors on 42 minutes when Weir’s ambitious 30-yard lob sailed over with Kiddy ’keeper Lewis stranded after punching clear, but City will have been pleased to reach the interval still on level terms.

The Harriers carried on where they left off at the start of the second period with Blair firing across the face of goal and Keith Briggs narrowly missing the target with a deflected 25-yard drive.

McPhee also had the ball in the net on 52 minutes, but his close-range effort was ruled offside to the relief of the Minstermen.

Shortly afterwards, Mills responded by introducing McDermott and Till in a positive double substitution.

Ex-Kidderminster midfielder McDermott’s first contribution saw him deliver an enticing corner to the near post that was glanced wide by Young.

After Meredith’s rising drive was then saved by Lewis, McDermott also struck the foot of a post with a thumping 25-yard shot.

Boucaud was handed his debut on 76 minutes before McDermott went close again, firing just wide from distance.

City striker Michael Rankine then booted the last chance of the night out of the ground in injury time.


Match report

Kidderminster 0, York City 0

York City: Michael Ingham 7, Daniel Parslow 7, David McGurk 8, Greg Young 6, James Meredith 7, Djoumin Sangare 6, Robbie Weir 7, Danny Racchi 6, Ashley Chambers 6, Michael Rankine 6, Jamal Fyfield 6.

Substitutions: David McDermott (for Racchi, 56) 8 Peter Till (for Fyfield, 57) 6 Andre Boucaud (for Weir, 76).

Not used: Neil Barrett and Leon Constantine.

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: David McGurk – held the defence together after being made captain for the night.

Kidderminster Harriers: Daniel Lewis, Lee Vaughan, Tom Sharpe, Michael Briscoe, Aaron Griffiths, Dave Hankin (Callum Gittings, 26), Keith Briggs, Jack Byrne, Matty Blair (Mitchell McPike, 78), Chris McPhee, Lee Morris (Craig Lindfield, 78).

Substitutes (not used): Mark Albrighton, Andy Stevens.

Yellow cards: None.

Red cards: None.

Shots on target: Harriers 3, City 3.

Shots off target: Harriers 7, City 4.

Corners: Harriers 4, City 3.

Fouls: Harriers 10, City 12 Offsides: Harriers 4, City 0.

Referee: Stuart Burt (Northamptonshire).

Attendance: 1,066 (including 79 York City supporters).