Blair stakes England claim as Minstermen rally after Brown blow

New signing Scott Brown, making his home debut, was sent off for a foul on Rarn Marwa shortly after Matty Blair had put York ahead following a move involving Jamie Reed and Danny Pilkington.

With Ebbsfleet moving well and creating chances, it seemed that fourth-placed York were in trouble and they had to thank Michael Ingham for three fine saves for keeping them in front at the interval.

The visitors equalised five minutes after the break through Nat Pinney and home supporters feared the worst, only for the game to take a dramatic turn two minutes later.

Reed, cutting in from the right, saw his cross-shot parried by Preston for Blair to sidefoot home the rebound.

Ebbsfleet were stunned and they fell 3-1 behind on 66 minutes, left-back James Meredith scoring after taking a return pass from Blair, who must surely have impressed the watching England C team scout.

Although Calum Willock the advantage three minutes from time, York held on and earned their standing ovation at the end.

York’s outstanding performance came after every player had hit form on the same day, an unusual feature in any grade of football.

Manager Gary Mills’s decision to switch from 4-4-1 to 4-3-2 to keep the Ebbsfleet defence occupied was also significant.

Mills said: “That was the best display, given the circumstances, in my time as manager of York City... it was an unbelievable effort.”

York are now just three points adrift of Luton.

York City: Ingham; Challinor, Smith, Parslow, Meredith; Kerr, Brown, McLaughlin; Blair, Reed (Blinkhorn 58), Pilkington (Fyfield 58). Unused substitutes: Boucaud, Moke, Ashikodi.

Ebbsfleet United: Edwards; Howe, Stone, Mambo, Herd (Azeez 36); Barrett, Marwa, Phipp; Willock, Enver-Marum, Pinney. Unused substitutes: McNeil, McCarthy, Masroh-McDowell, Adams.

Referee: P Bankes (Liverpool).

Man of the match: Matty Blair.