Solihull Moors 1-1 York City: Points shared in front of TV cameras

Substitute Alex Reid opened the scoring for Solihull on 67 minutes, connecting with a low cross from Andy Dallas.

Substitute Alex Reid opened the scoring for Solihull on 67 minutes, connecting with a low cross from Andy Dallas.

Just eight minutes later, Lenell John-Lewis similarly got on the end of a decent cross from Maziar Kouhyar to split the points in this National League match-up.

Ahead of a huge match in front of the BT Sport cameras, Neil Ardley named a Solihull eleven including just one change, Josh Kelly making his first start, in place of Alex Reid.

City boss John Askey was also forced to make a solitary change, Adam Crookes falling victim to an injury, as Fraser Kerr took his place at centre-half.

York started well, Alex Hurst's cross picking out Olly Dyson, but the versatile 22-year-old sent in a tame diving header which barely troubled Louis Moulden, who claimed easily.

With seven minutes on the clock, Moors thought they had the early lead, after a brilliant ball over the top was latched onto by star man Joe Sbarra, who only needed one touch before lifting it past the 'keeper, but the linesman's late flag meant the exquisite finish was ruled out for offside.

Shortly after the hosts had seen an effort come back off the post, The Minstermen came close on 25 minutes as Mitch Hancox tried an effort from around the edge of the area, which forced the Solihull shot-stopper to parry out of danger.

Moors soon provided some threat, as a mini goal-mouth scramble resulted in Andy Dallas' shot being held by Ethan Ross, before the prolific goalscorer hit one just wide of the far post.

An accumulation of yellow cards for York ended the half, with manager John Askey even picking up a booking.

City were first to make an impact in the second half, as forward Lenell John-Lewis found himself in space, but decided to take the option of a low  long-range shot, which was easily held by Moulden.

A few minutes short of the 60 minute mark, the visitors lost possession through an interception from Sbarra and Dallas was free to speed down the left before driving a cross into super-sub Reid, who slid home from close-range to open the scoring.

Eight minutes later, it was York who regained possession and worked the ball over to Maziar Kouhyar, who was waiting on the right wing. Kouhyar sent a brilliant cross into John-Lewis, who made goalscoring look so easy, knocking it in past the goalie for 1-1.

The man who got the equaliser almost had his second of the game, with Moulden having to tip over to deny the looping strike.

The Minstermen began to show their quality and proved to be the better side after levelling the match, Hurst curling one towards goal, flying narrowly wide via a deflection.

There were certainly some nervy moments towards the end of the match-up, with action at both ends, but in the end, both teams had to settle for a fair point.

A one-all draw leaves York City in 9th, one point behind their opponents Solihull, who sit inside the playoffs on five points.

Solihull Moors: Moulden, Clarke, Coker, Howe ©, Sbarra (Parsons 75’), Maycock, Dallas, Osborne, Barnett, Kelly (Reid 53’), Kelleher

Subs not used: McNally, Vaughan, Whelan

Goals: Reid (57’)

Yellow cards: Parsons

York City: Ross, Fallowfield, Kouogun, Kerr, Whittle, Pybus (Burgess 85’), Dyson, Hancox, Kouhyar, John-Lewis ©, Hurst (Duku 89')

Subs not used: Whitley, Boden, Sanders

Goals: John-Lewis (65’)

Yellow cards: Hurst, Fallowfield, Dyson, Hancox

Attendance: 1,125 (199 York City supporters)

Referee: Paul Marsden

Man of the match: Lenell John-Lewis