HARRIERS earned a thoroughly-deserved point at league leaders York City following Ashley Hemmings’ late equaliser.

With young defender Rhys Williams missing through injury after suffering a broken nose at Darlington a few days prior, Harriers were forced to shuffle the pack, with Ed Williams making a return to the starting line-up having begun the last two games on the bench.

It was a first half that saw Harriers dominate in terms of chances, though fall behind to one of the home side’s few opportunities. Hemmings, twice, and Williams had both chanced their arm on Peter Jameson’s goal inside the opening quarter-hour.

Four minutes later, Chambers attempted a lob that Jameson dealt with, before Gregory, up at the other end, got down well to turned behind a Griffiths shot for York’s first sight of goal, City then forced to deflect away Peniket’s drive as an end-to-end half continued.

Davidson, Williams, Hemmings and Austin had all tried to find a way through the City back line and establish a breakthrough, but their many and varied efforts failed to seriously trouble the target as the hosts soaked up the pressure.

Against the backdrop of so many chances created, Harriers frustratingly fell behind seven before the break – Griffiths again left with the space to step on to a ball and drive it with venom beyond Gregory.

The response from Harriers was good, as Hemmings and Peniket both went close with shots wide before the break, Weeks much further wayward with a chance seconds after the restart.

Johnson’s downward header from a corner ten minutes into the half was well dealt with, as was Chambers’ attempt two minutes later that just lacked a little power.

Harriers remained in the ascendency and, three after the hour, were in a good position to level when Weeks played in Austin, but his shot was again shy of the target with the visitors forward in good numbers.

The visitors broke forward again six minutes later as Weeks was supplied by Hemmings, but the midfielder’s drive, angled and high, was over the angle of bar and post as yet another chance went begging.

York sub Green drew a good save from Gregory with a rare City chance, the stopper again down well to beat away the danger, Harriers again close through Peniket’s header that Jameson held with a little more than ten minutes left.

The equaliser arrived at long last with just eight left; a Davidson cross, met by Peniket and, at the far post, nudged into the net for a first Harriers goal for Hemmings. There was a late flurry from the hosts to try and win it, but Harriers held on.

HARRIERS: Gregory, Austin, Davidson, Moyo, Johnson, Butterfield, Weeks, Williams (Diau 90), Hemmings (Prosser 90+1)), Peniket, Chambers (Shenton 77).

Subs not used: Higginson, Palmer.

Referee: Jon Kenny

Attendance: 2,586