FC Halifax Town were held to a 1-1 draw away from home against York City this evening in the Vanarama National League in front of the TNT Sports camera.
A brilliant strike from Florent Hoti and a late equaliser from Paddy McLaughin ensured that both sides came away with a point.
It was the away side with the first big chance in the opening minutes with Millenic Alli playing a through ball to Aaron Cosgrave, but the Town forward couldn’t get his shot away after a strong challenge from City defender Callum Howe.
The home responded with two big chances as Ryan Fallowfield was dispossessed by Jamie Stott after a brilliant challenge in the penalty area.
Fallowfield tried his luck again with a cross which met York captain Lenell John-Lewis, but the forward’s header was easily collected by Town goalkeeper Sam Johnson.
Alli looked to try his luck from distance near the half hour mark, but his attempt was comfortably saved by York debutant goalkeeper George Sykes-Kenworthy.
Town defender Adam Senior also tried his luck from long range, but his attempt was too high to challenge the City goalkeeper.
Town looked to snatch the lead before half time through winger Max Wright bursting into the box looking for a low cross and found Kane Thompson-Sommers, but his attempt was wide of the far post.
The second half started brightly for the away side with Senior making progress in midfield and he found a lonely Hoti who hit a brilliant strike into the top right corner to take the lead in the 49th minute for his second goal this season.
The home side looked to find an equaliser through John-Lewis whose half volley strike was narrowly wide of the near post. Aiden Marsh looked to trouble Johnson again but the Town ‘keeper stood firm once again.
At the hour mark, York made two changes with Marsh and Kai Kennedy being substituted for Scott Burgess and Quevin Castro.
Alli received a long ball from defence and turned his man brilliantly and found Hoti but the midfielder’s strike was over the bar.
Town made their first change in the 66th minute with Wright making way for Tylor Golden.
Castro had a free kick in a dangerous area after Thompson-Sommers was booked for the foul, and it was Johnson proving his brilliance again with, yet another save in the 70th minute.
A second change was made for the away end in the 73rd minute with Andrew Oluwabori replacing Cosgrave.
Will Smith forced another save from Johnson in the 76th minute and a corner proved no avail for the home side.
York made their final change of the evening with Mitch Hancox coming on for the debuting Olly Green
The Town forward had a great chance to seal the 3 points, but his attempt was high over the bar.
The fourth official indicated 5 minutes of added time to set up a tense finish at the LNER Community Stadium.
A long ball from Sykes-Kenworthy found John-Lewis and a deflected pass bounced to McLaughin who snatched a last gasp equaliser in the 93rd minute.
The final whistle blew at the LNER Community Stadium, and the points were shared. An even contest with both sides showing moments of quality in the second half.
Town are back in action in two weeks time playing away at Maidenhead United with a 3pm kickoff.
Match Stats
York City: 38 George Sykes-Kenworthy, 2 Ryan Fallowfield, 5 Tyler Cordner, 6 Patrick McLauglin, 14 Lennell John-Lewis, 15 Callum Howe, 19 Aiden Marsh (10 Quevin De Castro 62), 21 Kai Kennedy (20 Scott Burgess 62), 30 Alex Woodyard, 37 Will Smith, 39 Olly Green (16 Mitch Hancox 79)
Subs: 35 Rory Watson, 8 Olly Dyson
FC Halifax Town
1 Sam Johnson ©, 6 Jamie Stott, 5 Adam Senior, 16 Jordan Keane, 8 Jack Hunter, 14 Kane Thompson-Sommers, 3 Ryan Galvin, 18 Floren Hoti, 11 Millenic Alli, 17 Max Wright (2 Tylor Golden 66), 19 Aaron Cosgrave (22 Andrew Oluwabori 73)
Subs: 20 Jimiel Chikukwa, 21 Tom Wilson, 26 Justin Iwobi
Referee: Steven Parkinson
Goals: Hoti 49, McLaughlin 90 + 3
Yellow Cards: Thompson-Sommers 70, Fallowfield 81, Castro 82
Red Cards: None
Attendance: 4740 (617 away)
York City 1 FC Halifax Town 1
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