York City failed to take advantage of their opponents being reduced to ten-men and eventually had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Southport at Haig Avenue.
The hosts had defender James Smith sent-off just after the half-hour for a nasty challenge on Ashley Chambers [right], who later earned the visitors the lead with a deflected strike from the edge of the area on 62 minutes.
Southport earlier enjoyed the better of the opening half with Steve Akrigg heading a Shaun Whalley corner over and Tony Gray delivering a 25-yard free-kick saved by Michael Ingham.
Following the dismissal of Smith, however, York finally began to threaten just before the break with Scott Kerr and then Chambers firing at Tony McMillan.
Skipper Chris Smith also headed at the home keeper upon the restart and Jason Walker cleared the crossbar before Kerr made a fine break and Chambers did the rest with a deflected shot over McMillan from the edge of the area.
York defender Jon Challinor then forced McMillan into action at his near post, but the introduction of on loan Macclesfield Town striker Vinny Mukendi clearly lifted the hosts.
And then when Jamal Fyfield attempted an ill-advised ball across his own defence on a difficult surface with just nine minutes remaining, Southport midfielder Karl Ledsham seized possession and allowed Mukendi to equalise.
The Minstermen could have still won it though when substitute Michael Potts' fierce 25-yard drive came back off the post in added time.
