Minstermen endure nervous finale but finally rediscover home comforts

HAVING failed to score in their previous four matches at Bootham Crescent, York City ended their poor home run with victory over Dagenham and Redbridge – lifting themselves two places in the table to 12th.

York seemed to be heading for a comfortable win when they led 3-1 after 65 minutes, but the visitors narrowed the gap in the first of three minutes of added time causing a few anxious moments before the final whistle.

With only one win in their five previous home games – a stark contrast to their superb away record of only two defeats in the last 23 games – York needed a boost.

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“We worked very hard and got our reward, although I was glad there were only a couple of minutes left when Dagenham got their second goal,” said manager Gary Mills, who was celebrating a second anniversary in charge which has seen York rise 28 places in the football pyramid.

Ashley Chambers, singled out for praise along with Danny Kearns and Clarke Carlisle by Mills, put York ahead on 19 minutes with a low cross-shot, but Dagenham equalised four minutes later through Luke Wilkinson’s fine near post header.

Chambers made it 2-1 in the 37th minute with a flying header from Jamal Fyfield’s cross and Matty Blair (65) added a third following a Chambers-Scott Kerr move.

Luke Wilkinson’s late 30-yard thunderbolt caused a few late nerves among the home crowd but York held out.

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York City: Ingham; Parslow, C Smith, Carlisle, Fyfield; Blair, Kerr (Challinor 69), Kearns; Coulson (J Smith 63), Walker (Blanchett 84), Chambers. Unused substitutes: Musselwhite, McGurk, Reed, McLaughlin.

Dagenham & Redbridge: Lewington; Ogogo, Wilkinson, Doe; Illesanmi; Elito (Green 62), Saunders (Reed 79), Spillane (Maher 66), Howell; Williams, Gayle. Unused substitutes: Hoyte, Woodall, Currie, Seabright.

Referee: A Davies (Southampton).

York man-of-the-match: A Chambers.