Cambridge United 0 York City 1: Barrett switch key as York extend run

The game never rose above the average and it soon became obvious that one goal would settle it.

Cambridge, as York manager Martin Foyle had reminded everyone, had been the best visiting side on the York ground this season on September 29 when only an 89th-minute goal from Michael Gash had rescued a fortunate point for the Minstermen.

Since then, York have been riding high while Cambridge have slipped to below halfway with five consecutive home league defeats.

The home side had the lion's share of possession before half-time without troubling the York defence. Foyle's interval decision to switch Neil Barrett to mark the industrious Paul Carden was a master-stroke and York, who remarkably failed to force a single corner, played far better in the second half.

York's 48th-minute winner came when Michael Rankine's pass found Barrett, whose fierce shot might have gone in but took a deflection, as Sam Ives tackled, and looped into Danny Potter's top left-hand corner.

Lee Phillips headed wide a great chance to equalise 11 minutes from time.

Richard Brodie, leading scorer on 27 goals, picked up his ninth caution and is one away from a two-match ban.

Cambridge United: Potter; McAuley, Saah, Hatswell, Palmer; Ives (Parkinson 67), Reason, Carden; Crow, Phillips, Willmott. Unused substitutes: Coulson, Coakley, Marriott, Walker.

York City: Ingham; Parslow, McGurk, Graham, Meredith; Purkiss (Sangare 87), Barrett, Mackin, Carruthers (Ferrell 90); Rankine, Brodie (Pacquette 73). Unused substitutes: Smith, Gall.

Referee: D Drysdale (Lincolnshire).

Man of the match: David McGurk.