Magpies are forced to settle for another draw

York City 1 Chorley 1A stunning strike by Alex Newby set Chorley on their way to a well-earned point against high-riding York who had to wait until the final quarter of the match to salvage a draw.
Alex Newby was on target (photo: Josh Vosper)Alex Newby was on target (photo: Josh Vosper)
Alex Newby was on target (photo: Josh Vosper)

It was Newby’s first goal for the club since moving from Clitheroe as National League North draw specialists Chorley claimed their 13th of the season.

Manager Matt Jansen hailed a fantastic performance by the Magpies.

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He said: “We put on a fine show away from home against a good York side and the lads have run themselves into the ground. They are just disappointed not to have taken all three points.”

Chorley began on the front foot and went ahead in the 10th minute.

Newby gained possession just inside the York half and ran at the defence before unleashing a superb curling shot from 25 yards which flew beyond keeper Adam Bartlett and crashed into the net off the underside of the bar, to the delight of the 350-plus travelling support.

There were chances for both teams in a lively first half and ex-Magpie Raul Correia should have done better than shoot over the bar from a tempting opening. Then City’s Sean Newton volleyed just wide from the edge of the box as the interval approached.

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The Magpies’ defence was in typically uncompromising mood and, despite upping the tempo in the second half, York struggled to break the visitors down to the increasing frustration of home fans in a crowd of 2,721.

But with 18 minutes to go, substitute Connor Smith, a summer recruit from Hartlepool, equalised with his first goal in professional football.

Full-back David Ferguson’s run and cross teed up Smith who anticipated well to poke the ball into the net at the far post.

Marcus Carver got in a strong 10-yard drive as Chorley sought to regain the lead but his shot was well held by Bartlett.

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Then a City defender saved the Minstermen with a crucial block which diverted Delial Brewster’s goalbound effort away from its target.

But York were asking further questions of the compact Chorley defence as time ran out, the ‘twin towers’ of skipper Andy Teague and Scott Leather once again proving their well-documented worth.

CHORLEY: Urwin, Hughes, Challoner, Blakeman, Teague, Leather, O’Keefe, Cottrell, Newby (Brewster 76), Carver, Walker (Gregory 86). Subs (not used): Molyneux, Burgess, Wilson.