Play-off chance remains for Lancaster City after draw with Whitby Town

Whitby Town and Lancaster City played out a 1-1 draw on the coast.

The two sides are outside shouts for the playoffs and Tuesday night's result signified a fifth consecutive league game unbeaten for both.

Nathan Thomas opened the scoring for Whitby early in the second half, before Christian Sloan got an emphatic equaliser.

Goalkeeper Tom Stewart, who signed for Lancaster on a free transfer last week, made his debut, with Andre Mendes out with injury. 

He put in an impressive display too, making crucial saves in both halves. 

Jamie Mellen came on as a substitute in the second half for his first appearance since Boxing Day, while Ed Ikpakwu made a first start for the Dolly Blues since rejoining in mid-January, having made three substitute appearances earlier this month.

New ‘keeper Stewart was called into action less than three minutes into the game. 

Jacob Gratton tested him with a low early effort which Stewart stopped with his feet.

Sam Bailey teed up a speculative shot just moments later but Stewart’s opposite number, Shane Bland, was equal to it in the Whitby goal. 

Junior Mondal and Gratton had great chances to open the scoring for the hosts - Stewart kept out Mondal’s shot but only as far as Gratton, who saw his attempt cleared off the line. 

Dom Lawson is Lancaster’s top scorer this season and he was unlucky not to add to his tally of eight goals for the campaign.

Sam Bailey sent him a low ball from the right but Shane Bland secured the ball before the number nine had the chance tap it in.

City had the chance to open the scoring just moments after the second half got underway, but Nic Evangelinos’ header grazed the bar.

Tom Stewart made a superb stop to prevent Bradley Fewster from putting Whitby in front, tipping a powerful strike over the bar.

Nathan Thomas gave the hosts the lead only a minute later, following up on Dan Rowe’s strike against the woodwork to blast it home.

Tom Stewart stopped The Seasiders from doubling the advantage, turning a Jacob Gratton effort round the post.

Lancaster started coming forward with more purpose in the final 15 minutes - Shane Bland saved a header in a crowded box before a City goal from a set piece was ruled out for offside.

Eventually, the Dolly Blues would find a leveller through Christian Sloan.

He won the ball after a defensive mishap and powerfully struck it into the top corner.

It’s the second goal Sloan has scored this month, both of which being impressive strikes from range. 

Dom Lawson and substitute Jake Connelly both could have completed a late turnaround for Lancaster but their efforts were well saved by Bland.

After the game, Christian Sloan and Tom Stewart were named joint Players of the Match.

“I’m delighted with a point in the end”, said manager Chris Willcock, speaking to Dolly Blue Sound after the match.

“[In the] first half, I thought it was a really even game, not much in it. 

“Tom’s made a really good save one on one and we’ve got ourselves into some really good situations.

“After [Whitby’s goal] the game opened up, Tom’s made another good save and once we changed the shape, their keeper made three or four very good saves.

Referring to the disallowed goal in the second half, the City boss said: “We scored a good goal from a corner, which should’ve been given - the officials said they got it wrong.”

Willcock went on to say his side were “full of energy” in the game.

Lancaster remain eighth in the NPL Premier Division, and they face Basford United, a team just above the relegation zone, at home on Saturday (March 2).

Lancaster City: Stewart, S Bailey (c), Brownhill, Sloan, Barnes, Cowperthwaite, Evangelinos, Ikpakwu (Mellen 72’), Lawson, Norris (Jarvis 72’), C Bailey (Connelly 58’)

Subs not used: Gallagher-Allison, Kilifin