YORK City were pegged back twice as Neal Ardley’s tenure in charge ended in a 2-2 draw versus Boreham Wood.

The Ardley era began at the LNER Community Stadium, after York announced the appointment of the vastly-experienced manager on a three-year deal on Wednesday afternoon.

Ardley has so far had just two training sessions with his new group of players, and stressed that there would be ‘no quick fix’ for the current issues at the club, with the Minstermen sitting second bottom of the Vanarama National League only because of Southend United’s points deduction.

City’s search for a first victory of the season will extend to next weekend, with it now being eight matches into the campaign, and York being the only side in the division yet to taste victory.

Ardley didn’t get his dream result in his first match in charge, but could see enough to be encouraged by the project he’s inherited at the LNER Community Stadium.

York took the lead in the first-half in the scorching heat, with Dipo Akinyemi latching onto Ryan Fallowfield’s squared ball before coolly tucking past Nathan Ashmore.

Boreham Wood would equalise in the second forty-five after Chris Bush surged into space, before feeding Lee Ndlovu in behind to curl an effort into the far corner.

The Minstermen did immediately reinstate their lead with a goal that had a hint of fortune about it, as Quevin Castro opened his account for the club with a long-ranged effort that deflected past Ashmore.

But Ardley’s side were unable to hold onto their lead, and were left ruing their defensive errors as Ndlovu found space in behind before beating Ryan Whitley from close-range.

Both sides went close to securing three points, but neither were able to beat their opposite goalkeepers.

Ardley made three changes to the side that Tony McMahon had been in charge of in last Saturday’s 4-1 defeat to Ebbsfleet United, welcoming Adam Crookes back to the starting eleven after serving his suspension.

Ryan Fallowfield was named captain by Ardley, whilst Alex Hurst made his return the squad after a spell out of the squad.

Ardley also opted to line his side up into a 4-3-3 formation, with the full-backs often playing higher up the pitch, and Dan Batty slotted into a back three on counter-attacks.

It was a quiet start in Ardley’s first outing, before a golden chance for Castro just ten minutes in, finding himself unmarked at the back post but failing to beat Ashmore from close-range.

Boreham Wood struggled to create in the opening stages, with Ndlovu and Tom Whelan seeing efforts flash wide of the target, before York took a deserved lead through their leading goalscorer.

A key pass from Kai Kennedy split the Wood defence apart, sending Fallowfield in behind. Fallowfield’s angle became narrower, allowing the defender to square to Akinyemi, who was able to control and prod past an onrushing Ashmore.

Tyler Cordner is yet to find form in a City shirt, but showed early signs of improvement with a fantastic pass that unlocked Akinyemi, but his shot was smothered by Ashmore.

Boreham Wood struggled to find their footing in the first-half, but the match was put into confusion when a long ball was picked up by Ashmore, despite being stood outside his box.

The referee elected not to discipline Ashmore, despite the goalkeeper’s reaction also appearing to affect Akinyemi, who was trying to collect the ball back.

And the game became even more confusing when the referee was forced to stop play again for an issue with the linesman, who appeared to have either lost a contact lens or got something in his eye, seeing the match halted despite the tiresome conditions.

There would be a final action of the match, as Tyrone Marsh’s goalbound strike was miraculously cleared off of the line by Cordner.

Heading into the second half, City looked to add a second, with Maziar Kouhyar bending a strike narrowly wide.

But on the hour mark, Boreham Wood equalised.

A sauntering run from Bush allowed Ndlovu to be fed in behind, before opening up his body and bending an effort into the far corner, drawing the scores level.

York responded immediately, with Castro opening his account for the club from distance.

A long-ranged effort with his left foot took a major deflection, disillusioning Ashmore before finding the back of the net.

But again, it was goals galore at the LNER, as Boreham Wood drew the scores level again.

Some underwhelming defending allowed Ndlovu to tiptoe past Cordner’s challenge, before avoiding an onrushing Fallowfield before hammering his effort into the back of the net.

Olly Dyson and Callum Howe both had similar volleyed efforts force saves from Ashmore, but neither side were able to break the other down, with Ardley’s first match in charge ending in a stalemate.

York City: Whitley 6, Fallowfield 7, Cordner 6, Howe 8, Crookes 6, Batty 6 (McLaughlin 6, 45), Dyson 6, Castro 7 (Hurst 7, 63), Kouhyar 6, Akinyemi 7, Kennedy 7 (Siziba 6, 63)

Subs not used: Stott, Latty-Faiweather

Goals: Akinyemi (21), Castro (62)

Yellow cards: Batty (45)

Boreham Wood: Ashmore, Coxe, Bush, Sass-Davies, Ilesanmi, Whelan, O'Neil (Balanta, 74) Griffiths, Marsh, Ndlovu, Abraham

Subs: Abayomi, Payne, Stephens, Miller

Goals: Ndlovu (57) (66)

Yellow cards: Whelan (9), Sass-Davies (17), Marsh (40)

York’s star man: Callum Howe. A dominant performance from the defender who controlled the backline and won every header that was thrusted his way.

Referee: Michael Barlow

Attendance: 3993 (55)

Shots (on target): 5 (8) | 6 (5)

Corners: 4 | 5

Offsides: 2 | 4

Fouls committed: 8 | 6