York City 0, Kettering 0

Play-off chasing Kettering were fortunate to escape with a point after teenage forward Adam Boyes struck the crossbar for City in the second half.

At the other end, a determined defensive display, led by centre-backs Daniel Parslow and Shuan Pejic, saw the Poppies fail to test home goalkeeper Michael Ingham until the 87th minute.

City manager Martin Foyle kept faith with the side that started the FA Trophy semi-final, second leg triumph against Telford although cup-tied pair Adam Smith and Simon Brown earned recalls to the bench.

The visitors named former Minsterman Chris Beardsley as a substitute.

City started the game in confident fashion, retaining possession impressively and creating the first chance of the night with Adam Boyes firing wide of the near post from 12 yards following a Simon Rusk through ball.

At the other end, right-winger Alfie Potter was a constant early threat and proved the architect of two Kettering opportunties in the opening half-hour with low crosses into the home box.

With the first, Jean-Paul Marna almost sent Pejic dizzy, turning one way and then the other before firing wide of Ingham’s goal.

Richard Graham then lifted the second over Ingham’s bar from six yards.

Daniel McBreen missed a terrific opportunity to break the deadlock on 28 minutes when he volleyed into the visitors’ end after being picked out umarked at the far post by Parslow’s cross.

City right-back Ben Purkiss also curled a free-kick over after McBreen had been upended by Exodus Geohaghon 20 yards from goal and fellow full-back Mark Robinson forced Lee Harper into a near-post save from his angled drive on the stroke of half-time.

Two minutes into the second period, Boyes rattled the crossbar from eight yards after Richard Brodie had tricked his way past Geohaghon and pulled the ball back from the byline.

Kettering immediately broke up the other end but Marna fired over with only Ingham to beat.

City also survived another scare when Graham missed the target after sloppy play by Purkiss had gifted possession to Marna.

Parslow, enjoying a strong display at the back, then made a goal-saving block to thwart Alfie Potter and Ben Wright’s 20-yard shot flashed wide moments later.

An excellent reverse pass by McBreen sent Brodie clear on goal in the 76th minute but City’s England ‘C’ international sliced a disappointing right-footed effort wide of the near post.

Shortly afterwards, Andy McWilliams’ inswinging free-kick narrowly eluded Parslow and Mark Greaves at the far post.

At the other end, Ingham was called into his first save of the night on 87 minutes, comfortably gathering a weak Graham header.

The City ’keeper had to be more alert, however, to keep out a glancing Beardsley effort and preserve a point in the second minute of injury time.

Match facts

York City 0, Kettering 0

City: Michael Ingham 7, Ben Purkiss 7, Shaun Pejic 8, Daniel Parslow 9, Mark Robinson 7, Levi Mackin 8, Andy McWilliams 7, Simon Rusk 7, Adam Boyes 7, Richard Brodie 7, Daniel McBreen 7.

Substitutions: Mark Greaves (for Rusk, 60) 7, Simon Brown (for Boyes, 68) 6, Onome Sodje (for McBreen, 74)

Subs not used: McGurk, A Smith.

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: Parslow – great determination to earn another clean sheet.

Kettering Town: Lee Harper, Dale Bennett, Guy Branston, Exodus Geohaghon, Luke Potter, Alfie Potter (John Dempster, 65), Darren Wrack, Andre Boucaud, Richard Graham, Ben Wright (Chris Beardsley, 80), Jean-Paul Marna.

Subs not used: Brett Solkhon, Daniel Whatsize.

Yellow cards: Luke Potter 43.

Shots on target: York 2, Kettering 2

Shots off target: York 8, Kettering 7

Corners: York 5, Kettering 1

Fouls conceded: York 10, Kettering 14

Offsides: York 2, Kettering

Referee: Mark Heywood (Northwich).

Attendance: 1,714 (44 from Kettering).

Player watch: Simon Rusk

Goal attempts on target: 0

Goal attempts off target: 0

Blocked goal attempts: 0

Passes to own player: 16

Passes to opposition: 8

Crosses to own player: 0

Crosses to opposition: 5

Pass completion rate: 55.2 per cent

Dribbles ball retained: 1

Dribbles ball lost: 1

Dribble completion rate: 50 per cent

Headers: 6

Tackles: 3

Clearances, blocks and interceptions: 1

Fouls won: 3

Fouls conceded: 1

Offsides: 0

Yellow cards: 0

Final summary Simon Rusk struggled to have as strong an influence on City’s attacking play than in recent matches after setting up an early chance for Boyes.

His short-corner routine was also ineffective as is illustrated by none of his five crosses finding a team-mate. Rusk was still a willing runner.