Report: Dolly Blues Dock 2 Points at Goole

Despite a number of City's rivals also dropping points this weekend, Saturday was an opportunity missed to put further daylight between the Dollies and the chasing pack.

In a game of very few chances that was physical and gritty right from the off, City huffed and puffed but were let down with a severe lack of form in the final third.

The hosts, mired in a relegation fight, made their intentions clear from the first whistle, defending deep with a loan striker and not holding anything back from any challenge. Just two minutes in Robert Constable somehow escaped a booking for clattering studs-first into Craig Carney in a rash lunge to set the tone for what was to come.

On a heavy pitch surrounded by a large running track the game was anything but pretty. Large hoofs into the air and lengthy stoppages to retrieve lost balls were the order of the day and chances were at a premium. The most exciting moment of the half came when Goole defender William Ramsey nearly lobbed his own keeper with a misplaced header only for the ball to hit the crossbar. Oliver Crolla had City's best chance after cutting inside from the left flank only to disappointingly blaze the ball high and over the bar.

The second half showed no improvement as action at either end was virtually non-existent. Just ten minutes into the half Phil Brown made a double change bringing on Jacob Gregory and Ryan Winder with the former making an almost instant impact. His turn of pace to latch onto a through ball to draw the foul for a penalty looked like it could have been the deciding factor.

Jordan Connerton stepped up to hit home his 12th league goal of the season as it looked like the break of the deadlock could have been enough. Just minutes later the home side were level in one of the most avoidable goals City will concede this season.

Steven Jeff was afforded too much space to easily hit a cross towards the near post that created a moment of confusion in the Dollies' defence. Both Mike Hale and Adam Sumner left the ball to each other as it rolled towards the back post. Sumner managed to wrap his foot around the ball to clear but could only find the underside of chasing striker Billy Law's boot, the deflection ricocheting of the post and in.

As the game before this brief five minutes of madness, the final 20 minutes were played out to a dull stalemate to the jubilation of the home supporters at full time.