York City 1 Exeter City 2: Striker needed by York to offset injury woes

The Grecians, relegated last May, have won nine away matches and only three at home. Saturday’s victory has taken them into the play-off positions.

But they were fortunate to get three points from this encounter as York dominated the opening 45 minutes and should have been home and dry by the interval, Jason Walker (twice), Paddy McLaughlin and Danny Parslow all missing chances in the first 10 minutes.

Exeter had not looked like scoring and when they did go ahead it was courtesy of a 13th-minute own goal by striker Alex Rodman, who had dropped back to help. He beat Jimmy Keohane to the ball but then rocketed his intended clearance past the helpless Michael Ingham.

York were behind for only six minutes, Michael Potts scoring from Matty Blair’s pass. Walker was inches wide with a free-kick and Blair had a shot deflected for a corner before half-time.

Exeter changed tactics in the second half and went ahead again thanks to a 53rd-minute blunder by Jamal Fyfield, who should have cleared but allowed Keohane to nip in and score.

Blair was the villain after 72 minutes when he ran clear but then chipped yards wide as Artur Krysiak advanced from goal.

Manager Gary Mills said: “I am gutted for the players who gave everything.”

Mills will move for a striker following injuries to Ashley Chambers (abdomen) and Michael Coulson (cruciate ligament).

York City: Ingham; Parslow, Smith, McGurk, Fyfield (Oyebanjo 64); Potts (Reed 83), Kerr, McLaughlin; Blair, Walker (Alam 75), Rodman. Unused substitutes: Musselwhite, Bullock, Platt, Challinor.

Exeter City: Krysiak; Tully, Baldwin, Coles, Woodman; Keohane, Bennett, Doherty (Amankwaah 46), Gow (Davies 66), Oakley; O’Flynn. Unused substitutes: Dawson, Evans, Chamberlain, Reid, Moore-Taylor.

Referee: A Harrington (Hartlepool).

Man of the match: David McGurk.