York City 1-1 Mansfield Town

York failed to capitalise on a man advantage in the second half but go through to the play-off semi-final second leg still in touching distance of the final at Wembley.

Mansfield Town’s 6’5” defensive tank and long-throw specialist Exodus Geohaghan played a substantial role in both goals. He found Ross Dyer with a launched throw on twenty six minutes, who flicked home the opener.

But just before half-time he bundled Jon Challinor’s cross into his own net to give York hope.

Mansfield were reduced to ten men with twenty minutes remaining, as top scorer Matt Green was shown a second yellow for a handball in the York penalty area, with the referee receiving some helpful advice on the decision from City keeper Michael Ingham.

The Minstermen started brightly, with Chris Doig ballooning over a dangerous corner in the opening minutes. York did find the back of the net moments later, but Patrick McLaughlin’s effort was debatably ruled out for offside.

And while York continued to dominate the opening stages, Mansfield looked poor. A neutral spectator would have found it very hard to believe the men in blue and yellow had won their last six on the trot. But form goes out of the window in play off matches – or so says York manager Gary Mills – and it was his side who had come closest to breaking the deadlock.

Mansfield had to pull themselves together, and they did just that before the half-hour. The Rory Delap style Geohaghan hurled a throw into the box, and striker Ross Dyer nodded past Ingham right in front of the away support.

York looked stunned and might have been two goals down if Gary Roberts had managed to prod home Dyer’s cross.

But a deserved equaliser finally came with the referee moments from blowing the half time whistle: a superb Jon Challinor ball into the penalty area caused panic in the Mansfield back line, and it was Geohaghan with the final touch into his own net, to the visible fury of goalkeeper Adam Marriott.

And there was still time for some Barcelona-esque passing from York which saw Jason Walker rush through on goal after a beautiful flick-on from midfielder Doig. One on one, he agonisingly dragged his effort wide.

The second half was much more nervy and defensive, and Matt Green’s unbelievably soft second yellow added to the anxious style of play. York pressed, but Mansfield became tight as a team and as it is so often said; playing against ten men isn’t as easy as it sounds.

Yes, there were chances but nothing clear cut for those in red: the quiet Ashley Chambers didn’t show his true talent as he failed to convert from inside the box, before substitute Adriano Moke shot straight at Town’s goalkeeper.

And so all is still to play for with neither team having any real advantage heading into the important second leg, which takes place this afternoon. Ey Up City!