Change of formation works well for York

The second period was in stark contrast to the opening 45 minutes as York’s change of tactics proved decisive.

York brought in Liam Darville and Chris Carruthers in place of Danny Parslow and Neil Barrett compared with the side which lost at Wimbledon on Saturday.

The first half saw little in the way of chances with Peter Till shooting wide for York, and Tony Barry was high and wide for Fleetwood.

Shortly before the interval, Alan Wright, the former Aston Villa player, was cautioned for a wild tackle on Jonathan Smith.

As on several previous occasions, York manager Gary Mills switched from 4-4-3 to 4-4-2 at the start of the second half and saw almost immediate results.

Till centred from the left and Michael Rankine challenged for the ball which dropped loose for Darville to head back into the goalmouth where Reed smashed a tremendous shot into Scott Daley’s top left-hand corner.

York were unlucky not to go further ahead after 54 minutes when Ashley Chambers hit the foot of a post.

Fine defending by Darville halted three dangerous Fleetwood attacks but York held on and were well worthy of the points.

York City: Ingham; Darville, Le Gurk, C Smith, Meredith; J Smith (Reed 46), Kerr, Carruthers (Boucaud 46), Chambers; Rankine (Constantine 75), Till. Unused Substitutes: Parslow, Barrett.

Fleetwood Town: Davies; Beeley, Haining, Gregan, Wright; Mullan (Thorpe 60), Barry (Rowe 85), McGuire, Clancy (Milligan 78); Vieira, Donnelley. Unused Substitutes: Hurst, Pond.

Referee: T Harrington (Hartlepool).