Harry Cardwell’s fifth goal of the season earned Forest Green Rovers a deserved point at LNER Community Stadium against York City on Saturday evening.

Lewis Richardson’s strike opened the scoring for the hosts before Cardwell’s header drew Rovers level early on in the second half.

The result sees Rovers remain third in the National League table, three points behind the Minstermen who sit in second.

The first chance of the game came the way of Rovers as Charlie McCann’s cut back found the arriving Jordan Garrick but he could only fire over the bar.

Jamie Robson then released the dangerous Garrick in behind the York backline but the winger’s effort was cut out by the Minstermen’s defence.

York created their first opening in the 21st minute when Ashley Nathaniel-George delivered a teasing cross which was well defended by Robson.

The hosts created another opportunity just before the half hour mark when a deep cross by Lewis Richardson found Jeff King but his header failed to find the target.

Rovers would end the first half the strongest when Kyle McAllister’s audacious ball into the box was inches away from finding the head of Ryan Inniss.

It would be the home side to open the scoring in the 48th minute when Richardson broke in behind the Rovers backline and hooked the ball over Fabian Mrozek into the back of the net.

However this lead would last for only six minutes as Robson once again found Garrick and his cross picked out Cardwell who powered his header into the bottom corner to equalise.

Shortly after, Cardwell’s superb switch of play found McAllister who drove into the box and his effort was blocked behind.

York’s Aaron Hunt would then come close to scoring as after a quick one-two with striker Ollie Pearce, the midfielder fired over from just inside the penalty area.

Much like the first period, Rovers would end the half the stronger of the two sides with Liam Sercombe firing a volley just wide in the 86th minute.

After a frantic stoppage time with half chances at both ends, referee Ollie Yates brought the game to an end, with both teams having to settle for a point.

Rovers will continue their league campaign on Tuesday night as they host Sutton United at The New Lawn.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

FGR Starting XI: Mrozek, Osadebe, Inniss, Tozer ©, Robson, May, Sercombe, McCann, McAllister, Cardwell, Garrick

Subs (Used): Quigley, Knowles & Fleming

Subs (Un-Used): Long, Doidge, Bunker & McCormick

Referee: Ollie Yates

Attendance: 6,810 (302 Away)