Report: York City 2-2 Forest Green Rovers - York Relegated

York City were this afternoon relegated from the National League, unable to secure a win against Forest Green Rovers.

Jon Parkin struck twice either side of half time for the home side, while Omar Bugiel was on target twice for Forest Green meaning the score finished 2-2.

For most of the second half it looked like a point would be enough, with Guiseley losing to Solihull Moors. But a 90th minute equaliser by Guiseley saw them leap frog York in the table and condemn them to a season in the National League North. 

Silence met the final whistle, as fans came to terms with a second consecutive relegation.

Hope was very much alive in the first five minutes, especially after Sam Muggleton twice hit the bar direct from throw ins in the third and fourth minutes.

But the skill of the Forest Green attackers became evident soon after, Bugiel bending a shot into the top left corner from the edge of the area in the seventh minute. That came after full back Dan Wishart had been allowed far too much time to romp down the left flank.

York huffed and puffed for most of the opening half but, apart from Muggleton's dangerous long-throws, did not create many clear opportunities. Vadaine Oliver should have scored after a quarter of an hour when he met a Parkin cross four yards from the goal, instead he scuffed it over the bar.

Gary Mills' side did draw themselves level just after the half hour mark, Simon Heslop stealing the ball high up the pitch and setting Parkin through one on one with the keeper. York's leading goalscorer duly found the back of the net.

But any momentum City were looking to build was snuffed out straight from the kick off, Bugiel allowed to drift through the defence and get his second of the game, passing the ball below Scott Loach.

Behind at half time, the frustration around Bootham Crescent was amplified by news of Solihull's lead over Guiseley.

The York players were told about that score at half time and it told in their second half response. On the front foot from the resumption of play, the score was 2-2 by the 48th minute. Finding the ball at his feet during a penalty area scramble, Amari Morgan-Smith's right foot swung at the ball, the shot deflecting off Parkin and past Sam Russell in the Forest Green goal.

Just minutes later Russell was forced to make a brilliant save, sticking his left leg out mid-air to prevent Asa Hall's header giving York the lead.

With Guiseley still losing going into the last 10 minutes, a draw was still enough, but then disaster struck. News of an equaliser swept around the ground, prompting chants of "attack, attack, attack" from the home fans. City only had five minutes left to snatch the vital winner. 

In the second minute of four added on, Muggleton launched a long throw in to the penalty area which fell to Sean Newton 12 yards out. It was on his wrong foot though, and he blasted his shot over the bar, a final excruciating chance.

The final whistle went 60 seconds later confirming York's fate. They would drop to the National League North, the lowest tier of football at which they have ever competed.

City still have a trip to Wembley for the FA Trophy final to think about, a chance to write a hopeful epilogue to this most disappointing of seasons.

That's on the 21st May, for now fans will have to return home reflecting on a very sad day for York City Football Club.

By Peter Rogers, York City Reporter

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