ACCRINGTON STANLEY 2 YORK CITY 2

ACCRINGTON came from two goals behind to see off York City but manager John Coleman admitted it was two points dropped.

The Reds needed two goals in three minutes from Paul Mullin and Gary Roberts to give them a point against the Conference strugglers.

"We are at home against a team in the lower eschelons of the league so it is two points dropped," said Coleman. "But if you had given me a point a four thirty when we were 2-0 down I would have taken it.

The Reds didn't start well with York creating the better early chances and their only real opportunity of the half was a 20 yarder from Ian Craney which was saved by York Keeper Chris Porter.

Then York raced into their two goal lead. On 51 minutes a Kevin Donovan corner was missed by the Stanley defence and Jonathon Maloney stuck his foot out and forced the ball over the line.

And, on 65 minutes, Andy Bishop broke on the left wing and his effort from the edge of the area took a deflection off Mike Flynn and wrong-footed Paul Crichton.

"We left ourselves with a mountain to climb," admitted Coleman who then brought on Gary Roberts and Matt O'Neill.

And these proved to be inspired substitutions. O'Neill had only been on the pitch three minutes when he raced down the right wing to the by-line and played in a superb ball which Mullin fired over the line for his 18th Conference goal of the season on 68 minutes.

And two minutes later Andy Procter found Mullin who turned provider and set up Roberts for his first Stanley goal.  There was a grandstand finish as both sides looked for the winner but had to settle for a point.

"We have just got to go on and win as many as possible now," said Coleman whose side are fifth with five games remaining. We have drawn our last two games but are still in the mix."

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