Telford United 0, York City 0 (From York Press)

Match report: Telford United 0, York City 0

9:50am Wednesday 7th December 2011 in Match reports By Dave Flett, Sports reporter

Minstermen captain Scott Kerr unleashes a shot. Picture: Gordon Clayton

York City extended their unbeaten league run to 12 games but were clinging on by the end of their 0-0 draw at AFC Telford United last night.

Goalkeeper Michael Ingham was called upon to make two smart second-half saves after David McGurk had earlier cleared off the line for City, who have now failed to win any of their last four away matches.

The draw also denied Gary Mills’ men the chance to claim a third successive victory for the first time in more than a year.

City recalled both Jason Walker and Andre Boucaud after their three-match suspensions, with Jamie Reed and Danny Pilkington dropping to the bench having started Saturday’s 7-0 home win over Kettering.

A low key first half saw few clear-cut opportunities at either end with Telford seemingly content to employ nine men behind the ball when City were in possession.

As a consequence, most of the visitors’ best periods of possession were at least 50 yards from Ryan Young’s goal with the Bucks happy to take their chances by launching counter attacks with long balls forward.

The first effort of the night saw Ashley Chambers’ 12-yard shot deflected wide following a patient build up of at least 20 passes.

Paddy McLaughlin also headed wide after James Meredith had met McGurk’s right-wing cross to the far post, while home defender Stuart Whitehead took the sting out of a long-range Matty Blair strike.

At the other end, Jamal Fyfield was called upon to hack clear after Ingham had dropped a high cross and Will Salmon directed the ball towards goal.

A 16th-minute Ryan Valentine cross, meanwhile, deceived everybody in the penalty box and required a smart save from Ingham.

Stephen Jones then headed off target from an Ashley Cain centre before Scott Kerr toe-poked the ball wide from eight yards for City as McLaughlin sized up a shot following Boucaud’s forward pass.

On 43 minutes, Andy Brown’s low cross required a near-post save from Ingham but the best opening of the half came seconds before the interval when substitute Nathan Rooney was left unmarked in the Minstermen’s penalty box but headed over from Cain’s cross.

Chambers did not re-emerge from the dressing rooms following the nasty 37th-minute challenge that saw home midfielder Phil Trainer cautioned and the Minstermen made an inauspicious start to the second half.

On 50 minutes, a sliced volley by Daniel Preston was dipping under the crossbar before McGurk headed off the line.

Ingham was then forced to beat out a thumping 15-yard Trainer effort with Sean Newton firing into the sidenetting from the rebound.

Moments later, Brown curled wide from the edge of the box before some brief respite for City was provided by a dangerous Danny Pilkington cross that Young spilled at his near post but Blair could not force in from close range.

Telford continued to threaten, however, with Jay Smith’s defence-splitting pass releasing Cain through the right channel but, as Ingham rushed out to meet him, the Bucks winger prodded the ball wide.

Cain then drove straight at Ingham from eight yards after the ball had fallen to his feet when Meredith’s clearance cannoned back off Jon Challinor.

On 74 minutes, Trainer went close again with a deflected edge-of-the-box attempt, while substitute Pilkington remained City’s brightest attacking outlet and his 25-yard shot floated over Young’s bar shortly afterwards.

McLaughlin, though, went closer to breaking the deadlock on 83 minutes, driving wide with his left foot after a purposeful run to the edge of the penalty box.

But Telford responded down the right again with Cain driving across the face of goal and Preston also headed inches over from six yards after Newton’s excellent inswinging cross.

Substitute Jamie Reed might have snatched an ill-deserved victory for the visitors on 89 minutes but his shot on the turn comfortably cleared Young’s crossbar.

Match facts

York City: Michael Ingham 8, Jon Challinor 7, David McGurk 8, Jamal Fyfield 8, James Meredith 6, Scott Kerr 6, Patrick McLaughlin 6, Andre Boucaud 6, Matty Blair 6, Jason Walker 6, Ashley Chambers 7.

Subs: Danny Pilkington 7 (for Chambers, 46), Jamie Reed (for Boucaud, 70), Moses Ashikodi (for Walker, 79).

Not used: Lanre Oyebanjo, Chris Smith.

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: Jamal Fyfield – led a determined rearguard action for City.

Telford: Ryan Young, Will Salmon, Stuart Whitehead, Daniel Preston, Ryan Valentine, Ashley Cain, Phil Trainer, Jay Smith, Sean Newton, Stephen Jones (Nathan Rooney, 42), Andy Brown.

Subs (not used): Jon Adams, Lee Evans, Craig King, Craig Farrell.

Booked: Phil Trainer 37, James Meredith 73.

Sent off: None.

Shots on target: Telford 6, City 1.

Shots off target: Telford 7, City 7.

Corners: Telford 5, City 5.

Fouls conceded: Telford 12, City 13.

Offsides: Telford 2, City 2.

Referee: Andy Davies (Hampshire).

Attendance: 1,601 (133 away fans).