YORK City battled brilliantly to draw 0-0 against Plymouth despite playing 70 minutes with ten men.

Stephane Zubar was sent off on 20 minutes for the Minstermen but Russ Wilcox’s side showed great spirit and had the best chances to win the game through Jake Hyde and Luke Summerfield.

City started brightly with Wes Fletcher’s acrobatic overhead kick forcing a save from Luke McCormick after just 56 seconds.

But the Minstermen were reduced to ten men following a head-to-head altercation between Zubar and Peter Hartley.

Zubar seemed to start the spat and saw red but, even though Hartley’s retaliation appeared to be just as aggressive, the Plymouth defender escaped with a caution.

The on-loan Bournemouth centre back’s dismissal saw Fletcher sacrificed and John McCombe brought on.

Plymouth did little to capitalise on their numerical advantage before the break, only mustering a weak edge-of-the-box Lee Cox effort that trickled wide.

In fact, City went closest to opening the scoring with the last action of the half when Summerfield’s free kick was parried by McCormick and a lunging Hyde, following up, could only prod his shot into the Pilgrims’ keeper’s stomach.

After the restart, Reuben Reid and Andy Kellett both missed the target before Lewis Alessandra managed the visitors’ first on-target attempt with a downward header that Alex Cisak pushed behind for a corner.

But City came storming back with a hat-trick of good opportunities for Hyde in quick succession after the hour mark. First, the ex-Barnet striker shot wide from 15 yards and then saw a header saved from Russell Penn’s excellent curling cross.

The third chance was teed up by a lungbusting 80-yard run down the right flank by Michael Coulson.

His low cross then picked out Hyde at the far post but the six-goal forward’s shot back across the face of the six-yard box finished wide.

City continued to press and a swift counter attack saw Josh Carson and Hyde combine to send Summerfield sprinting in on goal through the right channel.

But the former Plymouth midfielder’s shot was well saved by McCormick.

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Carson also saw an edge-of-the-box effort deflected wide and a free kick flash wide of the near post as City ended a brilliant display still looking for a winning goal.

City: Cisak; McCoy, Lowe, Zubar, Ilesanmi; Coulson (Meikle, 90), Penn, Summerfield, Carson; Hyde, Fletcher (McCombe, 22). Subs not used: Mooney, Montrose, Platt, De Girolamo, Morris.

Plymouth: McCormick; Mellor, McHugh, Nelson, Hartley (Norburn, 45), Kellett; O’Connor, Cox, B Reid (Banton, 73); R Reid, Alessandra (Morgan, 59). Subs not used: Bittner, Purrington, Norburn, Blizzard, Thomas. Referee: Darren Drysdale (Lincoln).

Attendance: 3,869 (528 away).