RUSS WILCOX felt York City deserved to end their winless run after a much improved showing at play-off chasing Luton Town and he was left furious with referee Darren Handley.

Wilcox, who had to deal with chants for him to be sacked a week earlier, was encouraged by a display at Kenilworth Road which threatened to end in three points for the Minstermen.

York took the lead seven minutes before half-time when Keith Lowe controlled John McCombe’s pass before powering a finish high in to the Luton net.

Luton, who are three points behind a top seven place, were stronger after the restart and could have won it themselves after Cameron McGeehan slotted in a penalty – which Wilcox deemed “soft” - after Dan Potts was tripped in the 63rd minute.

But York’s former Hartlepool keeper Scott Flinders made a fantastic late save from the head of Luke Wilkinson to keep the score level and to earn a point for the visitors.

Wilcox said: "I'm totally frustrated and angry. To come away from Luton with a point and be frustrated shows you how well we played today.

"We should have won. It was the tale of two penalties. Blatant penalty for me on Vadaine Oliver that wasn't given, and a soft penalty at the end where he couldn't wait to give it, for me.

"Some of the decisions these referees make today put pressure on people's jobs but there was so many positives to take from today.

"I'm so disappointed for the travelling fans because we should have been going home with three points."

York: Flinders; McCoy, McCombe, Lowe, Ilesanmi, Collins, Penn, Berrett, Coulson (Turner 82), Oliver, Straker. Subs: Carson, Winfield, Thompson, Ingham (gk), Godfrey, Sinclair.

GATESHEAD lost further ground on the Conference leaders after having to settle for a point against fellow promotion hopefuls Cheltenham.

Malcolm Crosby, the Heed boss, was satisfied with a 1-1 draw with the Robins, although Forest Green’s victory over Guiseley means the Tyneside club now trail the division’s top dogs by seven points.

Things were going smoothly for Gateshead when Jordan Cranston curled in a stunning free-kick ten minutes before half-time to secure the lead at the break.

But less than five minutes after the restart Cheltenham hit back. Danny Wright, the former Gateshead player, picked out the top corner with a fine header from Jack Dunns’ set-piece to keep the visitors in second spot.

Gateshead did have further chances to score a winner, but Ryan Bowman and Amari Morgan-Smith failed to convert so Crosby’s side stay sixth.

And the former Sunderland manager said: “We didn't really get a grip of the ball at the start of the second half and were giving too many silly free-kicks away, which is costing us. You can't afford to give free-kicks like that away.

“Danny’s was a very good header but we've got to compete better. Sometimes you play teams and they outnumber you with their big lads.

“But I thought Jordan (Cranston) was very good. In fact I thought he was the best player on the pitch, his quality into the front men was good and obviously the goal was excellent. And his defending was very good.”

Gateshead: Russell, Ramsden, Baxter, Clark, Marwood, Bowman, Phillips (Johnson 80), Allen (Mafuta 74), Crnaston, Shaw, Buddle (Curtis 74). Subs: MacDonald, McLaughlin.