Blair and Oyebanjo extend York’s run

After successive defeats against struggling Newport and leaders Fleetwood, York were in desperate need of a morale-boosting three points and second-half goals from Matty Blair and Lanre Oyebanjo did the trick.

York remain fourth and have slightly strengthened their position following Southport’s draw at Barrow.

Manager Gary Mills made three changes, bringing in Adriano Moke, Danny Parslow and Chris Smith in a more attacking line-up. The move paid off as York, back to somewhere near their best after a thin spell, dominated much of the game against a side on the crest of a wave following seven wins in eight games which have taken them up the table to safety.

Encouraged by a big following of supporters – almost half the crowd of 1,063 – York missed a good chance of going ahead a minute after the interval when Darran Kempson tripped Blair only for Jamie Reed to see his weak penalty easily saved by Jon Stewart.

As conditions deteriorated in torrential rain, York’s passing and movement often caused problems for the home defence and it was no surprise when the visitors took the lead after 69 minutes, Blair scoring his 17th goal of the season with a close-range shot from Moke’s pass.

Seven minutes later Oyebanjo joined up with the attack to crack home a low shot from Paddy McLaughlin’s centre to send the Minstermen fans home happy.

Alfreton Town: Stewart; Law (Deverdics 75), Streete, Kempson, Franklin; Moult, Conneely (Jarman 53), Brown, Mullan (Meadows 80); Cunnington, Wilson. Unused substitutes: Clayton, Arnold.

York City: Ingham; Oyebanjo, Smith (Fyfield 80), Doig, Meredith; Moke, Parslow, McLaughlin; Blair, Reed (Blinkhorn 90), Pilkington (Challinor 80). Unused substitutes: Potts, Tonne.

Referee: K Evans (Wigan).