Blair back with a bang to the delight of Mills

Blair opened the scoring on 48 minutes before Jason Walker made the points safe from the penalty spot shortly afterwards as the Minstermen enjoyed their first win in five games.

Last season’s 20-goal leading marksman was recalled and given a midfield role due to the form of front three Walker, Ashley Chambers and Michael Coulson.

In only his second league start of the campaign, Blair produced a man-of-the-match display.

Mills said: “Blairy scored two like that one in the reserve game at Doncaster last Monday and it’s nice to have him back scoring.

“I quite like him in that midfield role. He will also get fitter and sharper the more games he has and we know how honest he is and that he will always pop up with goals.”

York dominated the second period after an even opening 45 minutes during which Aldershot’s Craig Reed shot against a post after goalkeeper Michael Ingham could only parry Danny Hylton’s shot.

At the other end, goalkeeper Jamie Young was at full stretch to keep out attempts from Chris Smith and Blair.

Blair went on to break the deadlock when he chased Walker’s through ball before lifting a 10-yard shot over Young.

Four minutes later, Walker converted from the spot after being hauled down by on-loan Hull City defender Sonny Bradley.

York substitute Jon Challinor had an effort disallowed for hands and Jamal Fyfield appeared to be tripped in the area by Josh Payne late on.

Aldershot: Young, Herd, Lancashire, Bradley, Tonkin, Mekki (Rodman, 59), Morris, Brown (Payne, 59), Donnelly (Rankine, 86), Hylton, Reid. Unused substitutes: Branston, Anderson, Appiah, Morris.

York City: Ingham, Oyebanjo, C Smith, Doig, Fyfield, Parslow, Blair, McLaughlin, Coulson (Challinor, 62), Walker (Johnson, 90), Chambers. Unused substitutes: Musselwhite, Reed, Bullock, Carlisle, Taylor.Referee: C Berry (Surrey).

Man of the match: Matty Blair.