Rushden and Diamonds 0 York City 4: Mills praises Minstermen

Day was given his marching orders for a late challenge on Djoumin Sangare at Nene Park but, by then, the visitors had already taken the lead through Danny Racchi's free-kick on eight minutes.

First-half goals from Michael Rankine and Ashley Chambers followed with substitute Neil Barrett completing the rout after the break as York continued to move away from the danger zone and up into 16th place.

The victory at a Rushden team that had only conceded five home goals in the Blue Square Bet Premier this season followed Wednesday night's 3-0 FA Cup replay victory over Rotherham.

Satisfied Minstermen's manager Mills, who adopted a 4-3-3 formation for this game, said afterwards: "I've lost games against 10 men and, I hate to admit it, I've even lost against nine.

"You still have to stay professional, do your jobs and make the ball do the work to take advantage of the extra man."

Racchi scored his second goal for the Minstermen when he curled a 20-yard free-kick beyond the dive of goalkeeper Joe Day.

Top scorer Rankine claimed his 10th of the campaign on 24 minutes when he headed in from a left-wing cross by Chambers.

On-loan Leicester striker Chambers then made it three in the 35th minute, lobbing Day when sent clear by powerful striker Rankine's header.

Rushden almost grabbed a second-half consolation for the hosts, who are now eighth, when Matt Johnson hit the post but Barrett got his name on the scoresheet on 86 minutes, converting a cross from the left by fellow replacement Peter Till.

Rushden and Diamonds: Day; Osano, Huke, Stuart, Day; Porter, Corcoran (Johnson 9), Power; Charles (Farrell 79), O'Connor, Rene Howe (Sills 74). Unused substitutes: Key, Spence.

York City: Ingham; Parslow, McGurk, Smith, Meredith; Weir, Sangare (Barrett 55), Racchi; Chambers, Rankine (Constantine 84), McDermott (Till 59). Unused substitutes: Carruthers, Fyfield.

Referee: S Bratt (Walsall).

Man of the match: Michael Rankine.

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