Tamworth 2 York 1: Minstermen’s slide continues as McGurk proves penalty culprit

Tamworth were marginally the better of two moderate teams with neither goalkeeper being overworked in a game of few chances.

York’s first significant shot on target did not come until stoppage time when Patrick McLaughlin’s fierce 20-yard volley was well saved by Jon Hedge.

Tamworth were restricted to two scoring opportunities, Dan Bradley having a shot cleared off the line by Chris Smith in the first half and Nabil Shariff being inches wide of Michael Ingham’s left-hand post with a shot just after the interval.

York’s strength in recent seasons has often been in the middle of the defence, but, as manager Gary Mills observed afterwards, Smith and David McGurk “allowed themselves to be bullied by the Tamworth strikers.”

McGurk, earlier cautioned, was lucky to escape a red card for a second half trip and Smith gave away two penalties which settled the outcome.

He climbed all over Kieron St Amie after 54 minutes for St Amie to convert the inevitable spot kick and then tripped Danny Thomas for Lyseden Christie to rocket home the second in the 71st minute.

Jason Walker’s 86th-minute header from a cross by Ashley Chambers narrowed the gap before York were denied by Hedge’s save at the death.

“We were poor after the first 20 minutes and Tamworth deserved their win,” said Mills, whose side are nine points adrift of leaders Wrexham but with a game in hand.

Tamworth: Hedge; Tait, Francis, Green, Habergham; Shariff (Cain 83), Bradley, Smith, Mills (Christie 60); St Amie, Patterson (Thomas 28). Unused substitutes: Valentim, Collister.

York City: Ingham; Oyebanjo, McGurk, Smith, Meredith; Challinor (Henderson 66), Kerr, Moke (Reed 46); Blair (McLaughlin 54), Walker, Chambers. Unused substitutes: Parslow, Boucard.

Referee: G Horwood (Luton).

Man of the match: Lanre Oyebanjo.