Competition: Blue Square Premier
Weather at kick-off: cloudy after sun
Goals:
York: Gash 33', 89'
United: Reason 79', Beesley 83'

Cambridge United came from behind to claim a point at York City, but it could have been so much better. Trailing to a first half goal from former U Michael Gash, United levelled through Jai Reason with eleven minutes to go and sub Mark Beesley put the U's ahead four minutes later, but Gash snatched a point for his side in the last minute.

United were unchanged for the eighth successive match as Martin Ling kept faith in a team unbeaten in seven games with just one goal conceded in those games. The only change was the switch of the two wingers - Andy Parkinson starting on the left and Robbie Willmott on his natural right side.

York boss Martin Foyle made one change to the side that won 2-0 against Kettering ten days ago, naming Levi Mackin in midfield in place of Alex Lawless. Former U's striker Michael Gash and former loanee left-back James Meredith were both included in the Minstermen starting line-up.

In a lively opening spell, York's leading scorer Richard Brodie gave early warning of his pace and it took an alert interception by Brian Saah to stop him and Gash combining in the area, then in the third minute Andy Parkinson bravely blocked a driven cross by Barrett at the cost of a corner.

The action was high tempo and open and Jai Reason picked out Parkinson with a ball over the top that had to be hacked away by the home defence. For York, a similar ball over the defence from Ferrell to Brodie in the tenth minute drew a swift interception from Dan Gleeson, and two minutes later a loose ball ran for Gash whose sliced shot from the right of the area was closer to the corner flag than the goal.

The ball moved at pace on the heavily-watered playing surface and United began to enjoy more possession. Reason drove a low shot wide of the near post from 25 yards and Gleeson made a good run forward but his cross was but out by Sangare on 16, and after a well-contested and well-defended spell of play Danny Crow drew a save from Michael Ingham with a 25-yard shot.

Preferring to keep his cards in his pocket at this stage, referee Jez Simpson kept a grip on the match with a series of warnings to players, but chances were few and far between. Andy Ferrell sent an opportunist strike wide of the far post from 35 yards on 23, but neither keeper was worried again until 33 when York took the lead with a breakaway move.

United's midfield and defence had chances to clear as Smith's cross was half-cleared but it ricocheted to Ferrell 25 yards out, his shot was blocked by Saah but spun to Michael Gash, and the striker rifled a first time shot past the helpless Potter from eight yards.

The first goal conceded by the U's in four matches was almost followed by another within a minute when Brodie raced onto another ball over the top, but he was forced wide by Hatswell and as he tried to squeeze the shot away it was hacked behind by Saah.

The goal had lifted the atmosphere and the tempo again and a half-clearance fell for Robbie Willmott 25 yards out but his shot was blocked by Mackin, and two minutes later he tricked his way through the defence but his two attempted crosses were charged down by the impressive Sangare and then Ferrell.

Six minutes before half-time Paul Carden battled for possession and slid a through ball to Chris Holroyd but he was instantly closed down by two defenders and the shot was deflected for a corner, which was caught by Ingham.

Gash threatened at the other end when United struggled to clear a cross and the former U's striker pounced with a close-range volley that was saved by Potter, Willmott had two corners headed clear, and then in the dying seconds Brodie's 25-yard free kick was caught by Potter but squirmed free on the wet grass and had to be hacked away for another corner.

Half-time summary by match commentator Mark Johnson:
"A difficult half for United battling against a confident York side and unable to preserve that long run of clean sheets, Gash profiting after United were unable to clear from a bagatelle session around the penalty area."

Second half:
United had the first chance less than a minute into the second half when Gleeson picked out Crow's run and the striker's angled shot was clutched low down by Ingham, who stayed down briefly clutching his knee and seemed to be struggling as he regained his feet.

Crow was much more involved now and United looked more threatening overall, but York had the next good chance on 53 when Gash flicked a header to Brodie who got behind the defence but buried his angled shot into the side-netting.

Two minutes later Parkinson was robbed by Ferrell who picked out Brodie as he darted to the edge of the area but his first time shot was blocked and caught by Potter, and at the other end Gleeson lifted a cross into the area but it was just too high for Holroyd.

United enjoyed a good spell of possession on the hour but Sangare headed away two teasing crosses, and even as the U's regained possession and attacked through Tonkin and then Willmott the French defender was there again to clear the danger. Two minutes later Willmott had a free kick cleared, then Carden and Parkinson plotted to find a breakthrough but the supply line to the two strikers was closed down and York were able to counter again.

Martin Ling changed things on 69 by sending on Courtney Pitt for Parkinson and on 74 he made a double change to send on strikers Lee Phillips and Mark Beesley for Chris Holroyd and Danny Crow.

The new front pair presented a different threat and within two minutes Tonkin whipped in a cross that was met by Phillips, whose towering header just cleared the bar. It was the most threatening move of the half and several United players appealed for a corner, clearly agreeing with the linesman who thought the ball had deflected off a York player, but the referee indicated a goalkick.

However two minutes later United were level with a goal from almost nothing. Beesley's shot from the edge of the area rebounded back to him and he threaded the ball to Jai Reason whose low drive from the left of the area sneaked inside the near post.

The young midfielder, who had a spell on trial with York last season without making an appearance, ran to celebrate in front of the home supporters but escaped with just a warning from Mr Simpson, and Martin Foyle made his first substitution to send on striker Michael Rankine for midfielder Ferrell.

Lifted by the goal, United pressed and Beesley had a cross smuggled away, and on 83 an excellent move saw the U's take the lead. Brian Saah began it with a great run from the back, Tonkin brought the ball in form the left, and Mark Beesley played a 1-2 with Phillips on the edge of the area before tucking the ball past the advancing keeper and low into the net.

Foyle responded by sending on Andy McWilliams for Mackin, and Brodie and Willmott were both booked following a bad-tempered tangle as the match entered its desperate closing stages. The home side threw men forward to try to recover something from the game, and although United defended valiantly they were caught out with a minute left when Gash climbed well to meet Smith's excellent cross and looped a header into the net.

Foyle shut up shop by sending on defender David McGurk for winger Smith, and they had to defend strongly as Tonkin crossed to Beesley whose shot looped up and was cleared for the first of two stoppage time corners as United battled but were unable to break the deadlock again.

York City:
Michael Ingham, Ben Purkiss, Djoumin Sangare, Danny Parslow (c), James Meredith; Adam Smith (David McGurk 90'), Levi Mackin (Andy McWilliams 84'), Neil Barrett, Andy Ferrell (Michael Rankine 81'); Michael Gash, Richard Brodie.
Subs: Richard Pacquette, Craig Nelthorpe.

Booked: Brodie 85' unsporting behaviour

Cambridge United:
Danny Potter, Dan Gleeson, Brian Saah, Wayne Hatswell, Anthony Tonkin; Andy Parkinson (Courtney Pitt 69'), Paul Carden (c), Jai Reason, Robbie Willmott; Chris Holroyd (Lee Phillips 74'), Danny Crow (Mark Beesley 74').
Subs not used: Josh Coulson, Sam Ives.

Booked: Willmott 85' unsporting behaviour

Referee: Mr Jez Simpson

Attendance: 2,321 (away 234)

Post-match summary by commentator Mark Johnson:
"Former United striker Michael Gash came back to haunt his old club with an 89th minute equaliser to deny the U's. A point looked unlikely when Gash gave York a 34th minute lead, ending United's long run of clean sheets, but Jai Reason popped up with an equaliser out of the blue ten minutes from time and substitute Mark Beesley put the U's ahead soon afterwards. A draw would have been a good result for United before Reason's goal, but Gash's leveller for the home side was as hard to bear as it was well-taken."

Mark's Man of the Match:
"Dan Gleeson - another solid performance from United's right-back, who got forward as well to prompt attacking play at every opportunity in another hard-working all-round team performance."

Ref: Mr Simpson - made some sensible decisions, playing advantage when possible, talking to the players and communicating well. 7/10."

AT090922 web@cambridge-united.co.uk