'Unbelievable' York City deliver National League statement win at rivals Carlisle United
YORK CITY delivered not just their best performance of the 2025-26 season at Carlisle United on Wednesday - but made a major statement to their National League rivals in the process.
A brilliant 3-0 victory at Brunton Park saw the Minstermen - roared on by almost 900 supporters in border country - on a cold midweek night in January - move to the top of the table.
It was one of the standout results of the campaign so far and alongside quietening Cumbrian supporters - some of whom turned against former Bradford City boss Mark Hughes - they produced a win and display which resonated across the division amid a compelling fight to reach the EFL.
Again for just one automatic promotion place, damningly.
Goals from Josh Stones, Alex Hunt (penalty) and Alex Newby crowned a too-notch display from start to finish from Stuart Maynard's side, with the likes of Ben Brookes and Zak Johnson also excelling as City extended their unbeaten league run to 16 matches.
On the win, first-team coach Gary Elphick told BBC Radio York: "To a man, it was unbelievable.
"As Stu said in the dressing room, we came here to quieten the crowd down and we know that it's a hostile crowd (at Carlisle) at the moment, so as soon as we went a goal to the good, you could feel the jitters coming around the place. It was an absolutely perfect away performance."
As to whether it represented a statement, Elphick did not disagree, but did provide a caveat.
On York laying down a marker, he added: "We have, but there's no leagues won today, unfortunately.
"We need to keep going and building points and momentum and keep that togetherness with the squad as that's the key.