Rusty finishing costs York City as they miss out on promotion

For all their romanticism, play-offs can be unforgivably cruel, and the team which was top of Conference North when the coronavirus pandemic brought the season to a halt were denied promotion when they lost their first game back.

Altrincham, not the Minstermen, will get the chance to play for promotion into English football's fifth tier. Steve Watson's men will have to play another season at a level a club of their stature should not.

York only have themselves to blame. They created more than enough chances to win the behind-closed-door game, but lost it 2-0.

Unlike Altrincham, who had to come through a quarter-final win over Chester City, York were playing their first football for 20 week but they still started well, Alex Kempster heading over after four minutes following a good move down the left started by a cute sideways header by centre-back Steve McNulty.

Despite that it was the visitors who took the lead, Josh Hancock capitalising on the confusion between Adam Buxton and his goalkeeper Pete Jameson to find the net with a shot which dribbled over the line after taking a touch off the midfielder with nine minutes played.

It did not seem to unduly upset the Minstermen, in special throwback maroon Y-front shirts, who continued to take the initiative, with left wing-back David Ferguson a good outlet for them. Found by a brilliant Paddy McLaughlin pass in the tenth minute, it took a good diving header to cut his cross out. Three times Jordan Burrow got his head on the end of his deliveries, putting one over, seeing a second blocked, then wide at a free-kick early in the second half.

It looked like a cross when Sean Newton clipped the crossbar, but for the man on the left of York's back three to be in that position showed their confidence.

Not that Altrincham just sat back and took it. They played themselves beautifully out of trouble midway through the first half and although the move broke down around halfway, they quickly won the ball back for Elliott Durrell to cut in fron the left and shoot wide.

Initially referee Scott Tallis was understanding of the fact this was York's return as a couple of hefty challenges went in to noisy complaints from the pitch and the bench. Kallum Griffiths was fortunate not to be cautioned for a high boot. As the game became more niggly, Tallis's patience snapped.

McLaughlin was booked for a late tackle on Daniel Mooney, who was pushing the boundaries with his challenge on Ferguson, often on the wrong end of the rough stuff. Mooney's yellow card just before the break was followed by one seconds after for Durrell's foul on Griffiths. McNulty was booked for pulling Jordan Hulme's shirt after getting dragged out wide and beaten on the touchline by the centre-forward.

York could not find the breakthrough, Adam Buxton dragging a shot wide, and Anthony Thompson saving well from a fierce Griffiths half-volley to keep his side in front at half-time.

They had a spell where they threatened to add to their lead as the hour-mark approached, Josh Lundstram putting a good chance wide and Hancock ballooning an effort.

Generally, though, the play was more towards the empty David Longhurst Stand, which the hosts were attacking.

Substitute Dan Maguire headed a great chance wide at the far post form a Griffiths cross. Another substitute, Adriano Moke, made a strong run down the left in the 69th minute but when Burrows' s shot ricocheted the wrong side of the post, you felt it was not going to be their day.

Thomas Peers, another who had come off the bench, confirmed as much in the 77th minute, sweeping the ball home when Hulme's header feel to him via the crossbar.

The games was up for York, who needed Griffiths to clear off the line.

The timing of the pandemic has not been kind on them, but it was their fault they did not win their semi-final.

"Keep the faith" signed off the man on the tannoy, but it is being tested by their fall from grace.

York City: Jameson; Tait, McNulty (Langstaff 77), Newton; Griffiths, Buxton (Bond 76), McLaughlin (Maguire 53), Green (Moke 53), Ferguson; Kempster, Burrow.

Not used: Spratt, Whitley.

Altrincham: Thompson; White (Richman 70), Hampson, Mullarkey, Hannigan, Moult, Mooney (Peers 63), Lundstram, Hulme, Hancock (Williams80), Durrell (Mahon 80).

Not used: Harrop,Wynne.

Referee: S Tallis.

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