Accrington boss John Doolan left disappointed by near miss at York
A 90th-minute Ollie Pearce goal extended York’s impressive unbeaten home league run to 24 games.
Accrington boss John Doolan was disappointed to come away with a 1-1 draw at York in League Two after hopes of a statement away win were ended by a late equaliser.
A 90th-minute Ollie Pearce goal extended York’s impressive unbeaten home league run to 24 games, dating back to a 3-1 National League loss to Scunthorpe on October 1, 2025.
But, going into those final moments, Josh Woods’ opener just past the hour mark had threatened to secure a first win on the road in 14 games for Stanley, with Woods, Connor Grant and David Tutonda all having great opportunities to extend that advantage.
Doolan’s team are now eight matches unbeaten in all competitions but the Accrington boss wanted more in North Yorkshire.
“I wouldn’t say I’m frustrated, but I’m disappointed because we totally deserved to take three points with the chances we created and missed,” Doolan said.
“They’re a very good side who play really good football, but we’ll always come to places like this and give it a go.
“We were asking questions throughout the game and created chance after chance but, unfortunately, only one went over the line and, whilst I’m pleased we scored another goal from a set-piece, we could have scored numerous goals from open play.
“I’ve got to be happy, though, with how we are going about things and how well the lads are all playing.
“People will look at the chances we didn’t take in the second half, but we could also have been 2-0 up at half-time and it’s just a shame we couldn’t take all three points.”
York boss Scott Lindsey thought his players suffered from the exertions of Saturday’s trip to Newport, where the team fought for a 1-1 draw despite playing with 10 men for more than an hour following Jovan Malcolm’s sending off.
“We looked a bit leggy after Saturday’s game when we had to put a big shift in,” Lindsey said. “Accrington are also a good side.
“They press you and probably ran a bit harder than we did tonight. We were a bit off it, but showed character to keep going and get our goal.
“I thought we created quite a bit in the second half – more than we did in the first – and always thought we’d get a goal. I then wanted to get a second, but it wasn’t to be.”