WEDNESDAY POLL: York City 1 Torquay 0 - Hayhurst breaks his duck as York triumph

WILL Hayhurst’s first goal for York City earned the hosts a sixth successive win to pile on the misery for bottom-of-the-table Torquay.
York manager Nigel Worthington.York manager Nigel Worthington.
York manager Nigel Worthington.

The Minstermen strengthened their hold on a League Two play-off place thanks to the on-loan Preston winger and a fifth straight clean sheet.

Hayhurst received a welcome stroke of luck to open his account on 10 minutes when his low drive beat visiting goalkeeper Martin Rice following a heavy deflection off centre-back Aaron Downes.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Adam Reed, Ryan Bowman, Keith Lowe and Hayhurst all had further chances to extend the lead before the Gulls finished the half on top.

Enoch Showunmi headed over from a Billy Bodin corner and York goalkeeper Nick Pope stopped Lee Mansell’s free kick.

York started the second half brightly with Adam Reed forcing Rice into a save and Hayhurst shooting over after bursting through the right channel.

But Torquay showed spirit and Pope had to be alert to keep out a 20-yard Bodin drive and an Anthony O’Connor strike.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Downes also went close to making amends for his part in York’s goal but his 85th-minute header was saved well by goalkeeper Pope, who went on to see a Bodin volley flash wide in stoppage time.

York City: Pope; Oyebanjo, Lowe, McCombe, Davies; Jarvis (Andrew, 80), Penn, Reed, Hayhurst (Platt, 90); Bowman, Coulson. Unused substitutes: McGurk, Montrose, Platt, Ingham, Dickinson, Puri.

Torquay: Rice; O’Connor, Pearce, Downes, Nicholson; Thompson, Mansell, Harding, Bodin; Showumni, Benyon (Yeoman, 65). Unused substitutes: Poke, Tonge, Lathrope, Hawley,Stockley, Craig.

Referee: E Ilderton (Tynemouth).