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Goalkeeper Nathan Ingham had been having a rough time before coming to Edmonton with York9 FC on Sunday.

Returning to a familiar environment, however, brought the best out in Ingham, who was arguably the best player on the field in a 2-2 tie at Clarke Field.

Ingham, a former member of FC Edmonton during their North American Soccer League days, made four outstanding point-blank saves to preserve a point for York9, ending three-game losing skid.

“I thought Nate did well, but that’s his job,” said York9 FC head coach Jimmy Brennan. “He’s made to be in there and make some saves once it gets past our back four. I thought collectively as a team the guys worked hard. It’s not an easy place to come to. We would have liked three, but we’ll take a point on the road.”

Ingham, 26, a product of Newmarket, Ont., played two seasons with FC Edmonton, making eight appearances.

“It’s a bit strange (playing in Edmonton),” Ingham said. “We’ve been here all week with a quick turnaround after playing Calgary (Wednesday) and it’s a bit nostalgic. You finish training and you look up and see my York9 teammates, which is very weird because I’ve been on this field 200, 300 times and it had never been with them.

“You feel like you want to get in my car and go back to my apartment after training. Edmonton will always have a special place in my heart, being my first pro contract and where I started my career.”

Ingham finished with five saves on the day, including one off his face late in the game, which kept York9 within a goal.

“It doesn’t feel great,” Ingham said. “It’ll happen more in practice than it does in games, but I’ve had 10 or 12 of those in the face or in the unmentionables. I think I would rather have it in the face.”

Email: dvandiest@postmedia.com

On Twitter: @DerekVanDiest