Late heartbreak as Town’s Wembley dream is snatched away at the death

A HEARTBREAKING finale saw York net a 90th-minute equaliser to end the Hatters’ hopes of a Wembley final in the FA Trophy at Kenilworth Road today, writes Mark Wood.

Matty Blair’s close-range header at the death was enough for the Minstermen to win through in another absorbing contest between the two sides that saw Town come up just short against their bogey rivals.

Luton had dominated the first half and squared the tie through Robbie Willmott’s goal, but they couldn’t quite find a second and, after some lenient refereeing, City snatched the tie late on.

Town made four changes from the side that grabbed a 1-1 draw at lowly Darlington on Tuesday night. Cup-tied duo Craig McAllister and Godfrey Poku dropped out of the squad along with Ed Asafu-Adjaye, missing out with a back injury, while Adam Watkins started on the bench.

As a result in came Jake Howells and Keith Keane, who were suspended following their dismissals at Bootham Crescent, Curtis Osano at right-back and Stuart Fleetwood partnered Danny Crow in attack as Town reverted to a 4-4-2 formation.

City stuck with their 4-3-3 line-up, naming maligned former Hatter Jason Walker as the spearhead.

At an atmospheric Kenilworth Road Luton should have taken the lead after just five minutes when Alex Lawless slipped through the onside Fleetwood but his angled drive across the face of goal just beat the far post.

Luton were looking good early on and George Pilkington had a header repelled from Howells’ corner on eight minutes while massed ranks of bodies kept out Lawless’ effort from the edge of the area.

It was all Luton and they went close again seconds later when Crow’s low effort had to be touched round the post by Michael Ingham.

Boos rang out every time Walker received the ball, while there was a lengthy hold up for treatment to Scott Kerr who moments later had to be replaced. In-between Blair was yellow-carded for a cynical foul on Lawless.

Fleetwood fired in another wayward effort as Town strived for a goal, while the tackles flew in at the other end as the Minstermen looked to hit the Hatters on the break.

Substitute Scott Brown fired well over, while a forceful run and firecracker shot from Willmott on the left was headed away. He was at it again seconds later but Keane was inches away from getting on the end of his cross-cum-shot that whizzed just wide.

The Hatters continued to press and should have done better on 35 minutes when Osano’s deep free-kick was headed down by Janos Kovacs but Howells could only scoop wide.

Minstermen captain Chris Smith was warned over his team’s blatant time-wasting as City were being allowed to get away with far too much by the officials.

And Luton deservedly levelled two minutes before the break when Daniel Parslow missed Kovacs’ long ball over the top and Crow raced through and unselfishly squared for Willmott to prod past the onrushing Ingham and square the tie.

Howells then tamely volleyed wide as Town continued to boss the encounter and they went off to warm applause as the half time whistle blew.

The ineffective Walker was replaced by the dangerous Ashley Chambers at the break and he almost made an instant impact as his 25-yarder in the opening minutes flew just over.

York looked far more purposeful as they posed the Hatters a number of problems in the opening moments.

Willmott got in behind on 50 minutes but Fleetwood was just unable to get on the end of his dangerous ball across the face of goal.

Kovacs gave away a free-kick in a dangerous position, but Mark Tyler watched Jamie Reed’s effort run just wide.

And City should have taken control of the tie again on 56 minutes when Chambers was on to a quickly-taken free-kick, skipped past Osano and sold the covering defence a dummy before dragging wide with just Tyler to beat.

The Minstermen looked a different side as they were far more positive in everything they did. Blair couldn’t quite connect with a great cross as Luton were forced on to the back foot at a nervy Kenilworth Road.

A Willmott effort from a short corner was easily repelled as Watkins replaced the profligate Fleetwood.

And he was straight into the action as he slipped Howells through and Jamal Fyfield was lucky to escape with just a yellow card as he cynically took him out on the edge of the area.

Willmott whipped in a great effort but Ingham did well to beat it away, while Kovacs could only head another free-kick moments later well over.

Another Willmott effort whizzed well wide, while Patrick McLaughlin threaded the ball through only for it to come off Chambers’ heels with him clean through.

Town then broke at pace as Watkins took advantage of a coming together with McLaughlin on 73 minutes and powered through with options either side, but delayed too long and when his ball reached Howells his effort was deflected behind.

Willmott was booked for a late challenge on Jon Challinor as the game hung in the balance and City had a great chance to take the initiative when a dubious free-kick was quickly-taken and Blair scampered down the right and crossed low to the near post but Reed could only find Tyler’s midriff.

More Minstermen rough-housing saw Reed catch Pilkington with a terrible late high challenge but again just saw yellow in complete contrast to how Town were treated in the first leg.

Town ratcheted up the pressure in the closing moments as Willmott’s corner was headed back by Kovacs but Crow’s fine volley was deflected as it dipped just over.

But there was late heartbreak for Luton as, after the linesman failed to flag for an offside City player, Fyfield angled in a great 90th-minute cross and Blair was allowed to plant his free header home from just six yards to book York’s place at Wembley.

Hatters (4-4-2): Mark Tyler, Greg Taylor, Keith Keane, George Pilkington (C), Alex Lawless, Danny Crow, Robbie Willmott, Stuart Fleetwood (Adam Watkins 65), Jake Howells, Curtis Osano, Janos Kovacs. Substitutes not used: Shane Blackett, Aaron O’Connor, Charlie Henry, Jake Woolley.

Minstermen (4-3-3): Michael Ingham, James Meredith, Chris Smith (C), Daniel Parslow, Jamie Reed (Matthew Blinkhorn 90+4), Scott Kerr (Scott Brown 24), Jason Walker (Ashley Chambers 46), Jamal Fyfeld, Matty Blair, Jon Challinor, Patrick McLaughlin. Substitutes not used: Paul Musselwhite, Chris Doig.

Bookings: Blair 23; Fyfield 68; Willmott 76; Reed 80.

Referee: A Woolmer.

Assistant Referees: E Smart and J Clarke.

Fourth Official: S Martin.

Attendance: 5,796 (400 York).

Star Hatter: Keith Keane. A bundle of desire and energy, much more like the player we know he should be.