What's the one thing worse than going out of a cup competition on penalties?

Going out in the last 30 seconds of extra-time.

And inevitably it was York City that got a mouthful of that bitter taste of frustration at Accrington Stanley last night.

Just when everyone had started to care about whether City made it through to play Tamworth at home in this Conference-only national competition, up popped Lee McEvilly to disappoint the spot-kick voyeurs.

It was a bizarre kick in the teeth to add to playing in front of what might well be the lowest crowd in 80 years - 392 in all, not counting the man wedged in between his house and the roof of his garage next door - especially considering City could and arguably should have won it.

Tired legs didn't seem to be the problem. It was more a case of tired heads as people started to switch off with fatigue setting in.

Michael Staley, who had shown City old-boy Rory Prendergast what the latest crop are made of all night with a confident display at right-back, twice came unstuck.

A stumble on the half-way line was saved by a quick reactionary tackle, while a telegraphed pass to Kevin Donovan out on the right wing was too easily intercepted after Chris Butler saw him text Donovan to let him know it was on its way.

Both times he got lucky - as did several other players on both sides - and with no fewer than five goalmouth scrambles being clawed to safety by a determined City it looked as though maybe Lady Luck was in the mood to cast a rare spell of cup-glory.

But then McEvilly rolled past Jon Maloney into space down the left and forced the ball past Chris Porter just as the stadium announcer was getting ready to read his 'in case of penalties...' emergency script.

What was left of the crowd - a considerable section having called it a night after 90 minutes, including the cheap-skate from next door - erupted, and the referee just had time to book Stanley's Andrew Proctor before putting his whistle to his mouth.

City had bounced into an early lead from a nice move down the right hand side after ten minutes. On-loan Leeds United man Rob Constable sent a quality ball out to Kevin Donovan on the wing, who exchanged a quick one-two with Lee Nogan and lofted a cross practically on to the penalty spot, where Andy Bishop directed it past the 'keeper with a side-on volley.

A flurry of activity at the other end followed before Accrington's Robbie Williams offered up his donation to charity with a woeful header back to stand-in 'keeper Danny Alcock. Nogan, though, was in equally charitable mood as his pace deserted him and Alcock managed to gather in virtual slow-motion.

With only the prestige of new silverware up for grabs in the GLS Conference Cup, City's players might have been forgiven for curbing their enthusiasm but there was no sign of slacking off.

Darren Dunning forced Alcock to tip a 48th-minute free-kick over the bar, while Paul D Robinson came close to setting up a goal with his first touch after Dave Merris' well-struck low shot from distance was forced out for a corner.

Stanley were also up for it as evidenced by their gritty and numerous goal-mouth scrambles, one of which resulted in centre-half Jonathan Smith forcing the ball through the mass of bodies and into the back of the net to equalise on 34 minutes.

Porter was for once beaten. But only after a point-blank save from Cavanagh and tipping a McEvilly stinger over the bar.

And so, another cup competition comes and goes without a win for the Minstermen.

The good news? At least Leigh RMI - next Saturday's hosts to City in a vital Conference clash - also went to extra-time before losing at Northwich.

Accrington 2(Smith 34 min, McEvilly 119), York City 1 (Bishop 10 min)

Porter 8, Staley 7, Groves 7, Maloney 6, Davies 6, Donovan 8, Dunning 7, Constable 7, Merris 7, Bishop 7 (Paul D Robinson 80), Nogan 6 (Paul Robinson 67, 6)

Key: 10 - Faultless; 9 - Outstanding; 8 - Excellent; 7 - Good; 6 - Average; 5 - Below par; 4 - Poor; 3 - Dud; 2 - Hopeless; 1 - Retire

Subs not used: Stockdale, Law, Grant.

Star man: Porter - took charge of the aerial battles and was at his reactionary best.

Accrington Stanley: Alcock, Butler, Smith, Williams, Cavanagh, Prendergast, Craney, Proctor, Flitcroft (Jagielka 85), McEvilly, Mullin (Howarth 107). Subs not used: Kennedy, Halford, Brannan.

Yellow cards: Constable 92, Proctor 120.

Red cards: None.

Referee: Paul Canadine (Rotherham). Rating: Let down by his assistants.

Attendance: 392.

Weather watch: Truly cold.

Game breaker: Match rating: McEvilly's winner was virtually the only thing separating the two teams by the end.

Match rating: Around 31 minutes too long.

Updated: 11:21 Wednesday, January 26, 2005