York City 2, Crawley Town 2

First-year pro McWilliams’ sliding, 90th-minute challenge saw Crawley substitute Danny Forrest tumble in the box.

Even though City ’keeper Michael Ingham saved the subsequent Thomas Pinault spot kick, Lewis Killeen rammed in the rebound to deny caretaker chief Neil Redfearn a win before handing the managerial reins to new boss Martin Foyle.

McWilliams had also been penalised earlier for diving into a tackle on Jamie Cook near the corner flag and giving away a free-kick, from which Crawley scored their first goal on 54 minutes after Onome Sodje had bagged a brace to put the home side in the ascendancy.

It was a tough afternoon for the rookie left-back, preferred in the position to Mark Robinson who had committed a similar sin eight days earlier against Torquay.

Having rarely put a foot wrong in his previous six senior appearances, however, youth-team graduate McWilliams will hopefully come back stronger following his first setback in the professional game.

Redfearn fielded the same 4-4-2 formation and personnel that Colin Walker would have selected if still manager and the players looked comfortable with the tactical switch for the first two thirds of the match.

McWilliams’ fellow teenager Liam Shepherd made a very assured first start on the left wing and, along with the right-sided Simon Rusk, gave City an attacking threat down the flanks that has often been missing this season.

In fact, when Shepherd departed the action just past the hour, City appeared to lose their shape and much of their momentum going forward, having scored two impressive goals – both finished by new leading marksman Sodje.

The 20-year-old’s growing understanding with experienced strike partner Bruce Dyer was illustrated as the home side opened the scoring after six minutes.

Sodje found Dyer on the edge of the penalty box and, aware of the former million pound forward’s ability to expertly shield the ball, hared off in anticipation of a return pass.

It duly arrived without Sodje having to break stride and the former Charlton striker sidefooted past Simon Rayner from ten yards with covering defender Jake Wright only able to help the ball cross the line.

On 25 minutes, City survived their first penalty appeal when, once more, youthful enthusiasm saw both Shepherd and McWilliams lunge at Cook but, on this occasion, referee Peter Quinn ignored the protests, presumably ruling that both players had won the ball.

Adam Quinn then headed narrowly wide for the visitors from a Simon Weatherstone free-kick and City skipper Mark Greaves made a terrific last-gasp challenge in his own six-yard box as Cook prepared to convert a low cross from Jon-Paul Pittman, who had robbed Danny Parslow of possession on the left wing.

City, though, were the stronger side going into the break with Steven Hogg sending a 20-yard effort whistling just wide of Rayner’s top left-hand corner and McWilliams driving over from a similar distance.

Redfearn’s men started the second half in similar vein and doubled their advantage in stylish fashion. Greaves prodded the ball forward for Dyer, who then set off on a diagonal run before finding an overlapping Rusk powering into the penalty box. Rusk’s low cross then picked out Sodje to thump an eight-yard effort into the roof of the net for his fifth goal of a stop-start season.

Crawley’s response, however, was spirited with Steve Evans throwing his men forward in a brave attempt to salvage something from the game, often leaving only one man back to look after a hat-trick-hunting Sodje. The Red Devils’ first reward came on 54 minutes when Weatherstone swung in the right-wing free-kick conceded by McWilliams.

Chris Giles rose to head towards goal where Quinn’s presence in the six-yard box appeared to distract Ingham. Despite later being credited with the goal, Quinn did not appear to make any contact with his head and the unfortunate McWilliams’ scrambled attempt at a clearance did not prevent Giles’ effort bouncing into Ingham’s bottom left-hand corner. Sensing a set-piece susceptibility in City, Evans threw on veteran target man Steve Fletcher and Crawley overloaded the home penalty box at every opportunity.

On 58 minutes, Giles headed over from a Weatherstone corner and Killeen sent a flashing shot wide of the far post after cutting inside Ben Purkiss.

Weatherstone also had a couple of chances himself, while City’s only moment of respite came when Greaves launched a long ball for Sodje to chase but he drove straight at Rayner when Hogg and substitute Richard Brodie were better placed on 87 minutes.

Shortly afterwards, Parslow blocked a Pinault effort as City clung on to their lead before McWilliams’ second rash challenge saw Quinn pointing to the spot.

Pinault drove his spot kick down the middle and Ingham, diving to his right, saved with a trailing leg. Relief quickly turned to despair, however, as the rebound fell to Killeen, who drilled in from 12 yards.

Over to you, Mr Foyle.

York City 2, Crawley Town 2

City: Michael Ingham 7, Ben Purkiss 7, Danny Parslow 7, David McGurk 7, Andy McWilliams 6, Simon Rusk 8, Mark Greaves 7, Steven Hogg 7, Liam Shepherd 8, Bruce Dyer 8, Onome Sodje 8.

Substitutions: Richard Brodie (for Shepherd, 61) 7, Craig Farrell (for Dyer, 75)

Subs not used: Mimms, Robinson, Kelly.

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

City’s star man: Sodje – two clinical strikes at the end of two good moves.

Crawley Town: Simon Rayner, Glenn Wilson, Chris Giles, Adam Quinn, Jake Wright, Simon Weatherstone, Dannie Bulman, Thomas Pinault, Michael Malcolm (Steve Fletcher, 58), Jamie Cook (Danny Forrest, 76), Jon-Paul Pittman (Lewis Killeen, 67).

Subs: Nick Carter, James Dayton.

Yellow cards: Wilson 74, Brodie 82.

Shots on target: York 3, Crawley 5

Shots off target: York 4, Crawley 7

Corners: York 4, Crawley 5

Fouls conceded: York 14, Crawley 10

Offsides: York 7, Crawley 5

Referee: Peter Quinn (Cleveland).

Rating: made a couple of absurd decisions, but probably right about the penalty.

Attendance: 1,935 (64 away fans).

Tackle of the match: Greaves’ perfectly-executed challenge as Cook was poised to cancel out Sodje’s first goal.

Move of the match: The combination play between Greaves, Dyer, Rusk and Sodje for City’s second goal.

Mistake of the match: McWilliams’ late lunge at Forrest for the penalty.

City player watch: Liam Shepherd

Goal attempts on target: 0

Goal attempts off target: 0

Blocked goal attempts: 0

Passes to own player: 14

Passes to opposition: 0

Crosses to own player: 1

Crosses to opposition: 3

Pass completion rate: 83.3 per cent

Dribbles ball retained: 4

Dribbles ball lost: 0

Dribble completion rate: 100 per cent

Headers: 2

Tackles: 3

Clearances, blocks and interceptions: 2

Fouls won: 1

Fouls conceded: 1

Offsides: 0

Yellow cards: 0

Final summary: Left-winger Liam Shepherd made an excellent full debut, never giving the ball away either with a pass or when he attempted to go past an opponent during his 61 minutes on the pitch. He also looked comfortable when Neil Redfearn asked him to play more centrally midway through the first half. Perhaps the only minor criticism was the lack of a shot on goal or many telling crosses into the box.