United came from behind against York for the second time this season to secure a point through Simon Clist's goal. Michael Rankine's opener left both sides with a point in a hard fought game which saw York reduced to ten men for the last ten minutes.

Keeper Ryan Clarke had to be off his line sharply inside 45 seconds to beat Rankine to a through ball, and then save well from the same man on 12 as the striker headed a corner at goal from ten yards. The 'thou shalt not pass' attitude which has made United's defence so mean was show again on 24 as Foster and Kinniburgh both threw themseves to block efforts from the edge of the area, but United were finding it hard to get forward and had to soak up pressure for much of the first hour.

They do have the ability to spring forward, the recalled Damian Batt sent a shot just wide on 20, and with the excellent Adam Murray pulling the strings they put some nice passing moves together without really threatening in the first half, during which Matt Green's yellow card became number five for the season and ruled him out when United welcome Thurrock in the Fa Cup next weekend.

A superb block by the mountainous Creighton denied Brodie four minutes into the second half, but as in the first half United were relying on their defenders to do their jobs properly as York applied pressure. Credit to all of the back four for keeping Ryan Clarke relatively quiet despite the ball being predominantly in their half.

Constable's booking just after the hour also means a suspension, but a more pressing problem came on 70 minutes as the home side took the lead. Andy Ferrell got free on the left and fired in a fine cross, lowe and hard, which perfectly picked out the onrushing Rankine who sidefooted home from six yards giving Clarke absolutely no chance.

United used the goal as a wake up call and Constable might have equalised on 74 minutes but failed to make contact with Batt's far post cross. They suddenly raised their game like a car going through the gears, and on 80 were level as Jack Midson (Steve Bruce's man of the match) found a little space on the edge of the area and either shot or crossed depending on your point of view. Static defenders watched, but Clist was steaming in and buried it past Michael Ingham.

There are some people around York who will say that in two games against York this season United have now scored with all three of their shots on target. Us? we reckon you take your chances when they come along.

Within four minutes United's chances were increeased still further as York left back James Meredith, already on a yellow card, steamed in to Matt Green and was shown a matching second yellow and subsequent red, and the closing stages saw the most exciting period of a match which saw both teams give everything.

A point away from home and four points taken from one of their main rivals this season. Job done and United march on at the top.

Att: 4,302
Away: 778

Report by Chris Williams

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