TAMWORTH continue to thwart former boss Gary Mills, who has now failed to beat his old team in three attempts as York City manager.

The Minstermen kept a third consecutive clean sheet during last night’s 0-0 draw with Michael Ingham not having a single save to make but, other than a late rally, the hosts also lacked attacking invention.

A significant blow was also dealt, meanwhile, with an injury to top scorer Jason Walker that saw him limp out of the action after 11 minutes of the Bootham Crescent encounter.

With defenders Ben Gibson and Chris Doig both ruled out due to injury, Daniel Parslow and Jamal Fyfield were paired as centre-backs for City.

For Tamworth, former Minsterman Duane Courtney failed a late fitness test and was not named in visiting boss Marcus Law’s 16-man squad.

During a disappointing first period, the hosts struggled against a well-organised and hark-working Tamworth team and there were far too few options going forward for City players when in possession.

Ashley Chambers curled the first chance of the night wide after cutting inside from the left flank on two minutes and Walker then spotted Matty Blair’s burst through the opposite channel but the England ‘C’ international’s shot deflected off Lambs defender Francino Francis for a corner.

On seven minutes, the hosts looked fortunate not to concede a penalty when the lunging James Meredith appeared to trip Connor Taylor following Lanre Oyebanjo’s misjudgement.

Moments later, Kieron St Aimee lifted his shot over after latching on to a long ball from centre-back Paul Green, while Kyle Nix drove inches wide from 20 yards.

The Minstermen then lost Walker with Matthew Blinkhorn replacing the 16-goal striker before Jon Challinor headed over from six yards after a Meredith cross.

Blinkhorn, left all alone in the six-yard box, should have done better on 24 minutes when he only managed the faintest of glancing headers from Paddy McLaughlin’s long throw and Jonathan Hedge made the simplest of saves.

At the other end, Taylor’s edge-of-the-box effort ended up on the roof of the David Longhurst stand but Fyfield might have been punished on 29 minutes when he lost possession to St Aimee in his own half.

Taylor’s eventual shot from an unfavourable angle, though, was kept out by Ingham’s feet.

The final action of a poor opening half saw Nix curl over from a 25-yard free-kick with City assistant-manager Darron Gee left demanding better from the home team from the dugout.

After the restart, Tamworth winger Danny Thomas’ shot sailed wide following a long diagonal ball that cleared the head of Oyebanjo.

At the other end, long throws continued to present City with their most potent attacking weapon with an Oyebanjo hurl being headed narrowly over by Challinor.

Danny Pilkington’s introduction on the hour heralded an improvement in the Minstermen'’ dead-ball deliveries from the deck.

Almost immediately, Blinkhorn headed firmly wide from a cornner by the ex-Stockport winger, whose free-kick shortly afterwards was also glanced off target by Parslow.

Pilkington then fired a half-volley wide from 20 yards before Oyebanjo’s 30-yard piledriver into Jonathan Hedge’s chest forced the night’s first meaningful save on 71 minutes.

Blinkhorn’s header was then caught by Hedge at his near post.

With time ticking down, substitute Jamie Reed’s shot was kept out by Hedge’s legs after Parslow contested Oyebanjo’s long throw.

Stoppage-time then saw Hedge show great reflexes to keep out well-struck, long-distance strikes from Oyebanjo and Scott Kerr, as City could not fashion the late winning goal they have on so many times this season.

Match facts

York City 0, Tamworth 0

York City: Michael Ingham 7, Lanre Oyebanjo 7, Daniel Parslow 9, Jamal Fyfield 6, James Meredith 6, Scott Kerr 7, Patrick McLaughlin 6, Jon Challinor 6, Matty Blair 6, Jason Walker na, Ashley Chambers 6.

Subs: Matthew Blinkhorn (for Walker 11, 6); Danny Pilkington (for Blair 60, 8); Jamie Reed (for McLaughlin 67, 6).

Subs not used: Michael Potts, Adriano Moké.

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

Star man: Danny Parslow – never put a foot wrong and won all his headers.

Tamworth: Jonathan Hedge, Richard Tait, Francino Francis, Paul Green, Sam Habergham (Scott Barrow 65), Charlie Reece, Nick McKoy, Kyle Nix, Danny Thomas, Connor Taylor, Kieron St Aimee (Kyle Patterson 78).

Subs (not used): Jon-Paul Marna, Liam McDonald, Chez Isaac.

Booked: Challinor 57, Hedge 87.

Sent off: None.

Shots on target: City 6, Lambs 0.

Shots off target: City 10, Lambs 4.

Corners: City 9, Lambs 3.

Fouls conceded: City 10, Lambs 16.

Offsides: City 4, Lambs 2.

Referee: Peter Bankes (Merseyside).

Attendance: 2,249 (46 from Tamworth).