Cambridge 0 York 1: York overcome loss of Gibson to seal victory

The Minstermen strengthened their Blue Square Premier play-off push with two games remaining despite losing Ben Gibson to a 40th-minute red card.

York included 43-year-old goalkeeper coach Paul Musselwhite in their starting line-up with first-choice Michael Ingham missing due to a shin injury.

Former Scunthorpe United and Hull City goalkeeper Musselwhite was called into action twice in the first half by former York striker Michael Gash and responded well on each occasion.

The visitors suffered a blow, however, when left-back Gibson was sent off for a reckless challenge on Cambridge’s Jonathon Thorpe.

But the Minstermen still came close to taking the lead before the break with Chris Smith’s header forcing Danny Naisbitt into an impressive reflex save.

Naisbitt had to be alert again to keep out Walker’s effort just minutes after the restart.

Walker was not to be denied, however, in the 65th minute when he raced on to an excellent through ball from Michael Pottsbefore firing into Naisbitt’s bottom right-hand corner for the winning goal.

Cambridge United: Naisbitt, Thorpe (Eades 46), McAuley, Hudson, Jennings, Hughes, Jarvis, Shaw (Brighton 81), Pell, Berry, Gash. Unused substitutes: Corker, Ambrusics, Hurst.

York City: Musselwhite, Challinor, Smith, Doig (Parslow 19), Gibson, Oyebanjo (Potts 60), Meredith, McLaughlin, Blair, Walker (Blinkhorn 90), Chambers. Unused substitutes: Reed, Tonne.

Referee: M Bull (Essex).