Sutton United assistant manager Micky Stephens believes his side’s failure to manage the final quarter of the game was the reason for York’s dramatic fightback.
The game looked to be heading for a goalless draw until Nicky Bailey’s sweetly struck volley from 25-yards burst the game into life in the 74th minute.
Sean Newton inadvertently doubled Sutton’s lead with a back pass that fizzed off the surface and into his own net, before Scott Fenwick’s header reduced the deficit one minute from time.
Gary Mills’ side then completed the dramatic turnaround in the 95th minute with substitute Yan Klukowski’s thunderous free-kick denying the hosts a third win in four games.
Stephens said: “The overall feeling is disappointment but in the cold light of day we will see that we have got a point from it.
“Nicky’s goal was a great piece of skill to control the volley from there and it looked like it was going to be the only goal as it looked like a 1-0 game to be fair.
“We then got the second goal and we should have seen the game out.
“When their first goal goes in to make it 2-1 they are always going to flood players forward as they are searching for points themselves.
“There’s not a lot we can do with the free-kick because it was a great strike but we should have done better on the first goal.
“I thought we had done enough to win the game but we didn’t manage the last 20 minutes so well.”
Sutton, who are currently six points ahead of the bottom four, return to action on Tuesday night with promotion contenders Forest Green Rovers travelling to Gander Green Lane.
Paul Doswell’s team will be boosted by the return of suspended trio Roarie Deacon, Craig Eastmond and Simon Downer and Stephens feels Deacon could have proved the difference between one point and three against York.
Stephens added: “I thought there were some good performances from people in the game but at times it lacked a spark that we look for Roarie particularly to provide.
“It was a game where it looked like it would be opened up by someone like Roarie.
“We are pleased to have him back for Tuesday and the rest of the season.
“We had a really good footballing game up there earlier in the season and they’re obviously still pushing for promotion.
“They’ll be looking to get three points after losing at Dagenham & Redbridge so it will be a tough game.”
