SAM Collins’ caretaker manager reign got off to an encouraging start as York City secured a 0-0 draw at last term’s play-off finalists Brackley.

The Minstermen created more chances than their hosts, who didn’t muster a single goal attempt in a second half that also only saw Josh Law and Bencherif threaten the Saints’ goal.

City, playing a patient possession game, had earlier carved out the afternoon’s first opportunity in the fourth minute when a sweeping Russ Penn pass set up an attack that saw David Ferguson exchange passes with Jon Parkin before seeing his 15-yard shot deflected away from goal.

With the Minstermen’s centre backs being encouraged to take up wide positions and play out from the back, a right-wing cross from new skipper Joe Tait then picked Parkin out at the far post, but he could not steer an outside-of-the-boot effort on target.

At the other end, James Armson’s curling ball in had to be gathered at his near post by City keeper Adam Bartlett, before Parkin’s first-time sidefooted 20-yard attempt was deflected just over following a Macaulay Langstaff lay-off.

Brackley’s Shepherd Murombedzi went on to lob over a vacated net from the edge of the box after Bartlett had punched out a Glenn Walker cross and Adam Walker also sliced wide from a similar distance.

Armson, meanwhile, curled wide from 20 yards following an untracked forward surge after Matt Lowe had intercepted possession in his own half.

On 28 minutes, City’s 18-year-old debutant Fergus McAughtrie, who is the son of former player Dave and has joined the club after being released by Sunderland, unleashed an excellent 25-yard shot that was fingertipped around his right-hand post by Saints keeper Danny Lewis.

Moments later, Penn’s 20-yard attempt was well gathered by Lewis, while Bartlett was less convincing dealing with a home corner, but Gareth Dean subsequently headed tamely into his arms. An excellent forward charge by Penn also ended with a 20-yard drive that flashed wide, before Langstaff was off target from the same position.

Simon Heslop’s speculative 35-yard strike sailed over next, while Tait kicked away a goal-bound Armson shot after he had sidestepped Hamza Bencherif’s challenge.

The half ended, though, with another Penn long-range effort that struck the roof of the stand after former Archbishop Holgate pupil McAughtrie’s bright lay-off.

Both teams slowed in tempo after the break with Law curling over a 20-yard free kick, won when sub Jordan Burrow was fouled on 71 minutes.

In stoppage time, Bencherif went on to head the final chance of the contest wide from Law’s free kick.