York City 3 Burton 0: Play-off push boosted for Minstermen after Brewers return home frustrated

A fine first-half display paved the way for York City’s comfortable victory over Burton Albion.

Burton had been much the better side in a 3-1 win when the teams met in September, but there was no doubting York’s superiority in the return.

The only time Burton looked like scoring came in the 67th minute when York captain Chris Smith threw himself full length to head off the line from Marcus Holdness.

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By that time York had established a two-goal lead which they never looked like surrendering, their inventive attacking football causing all sorts of problems. David McGurk had an outstanding game in the centre of York’s defence with Smith also playing well.

York manager Gary Mills was delighted with his team’s start to the new year.

“Two clean sheets in a row and four points over the holiday period is excellent and if we can beat Exeter on Saturday that will set us up nicely to continue our play-off push,” said Mills.

Jason Walker, who had to miss the second half because of illness, set York on the victory path with a 13th-minute penalty after Alex Rodman had been pulled down by Tony O’Connor. Patrick McLaughlin made it 2-0 after 35 minutes, side-footing home from close range after Walker’s in-swinging corner had been palmed away by Dean Lyness.

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Further chances went begging before Matty Blair ran 50 yards to crack a low shoot past Lynus 
10 minutes from time.

York City: Ingham; Parslow, McGurk, Smith, Fyfield; Potts (Oyebanjo 88), Kerr (Bullock 84), McLaughlin; Blair, Walker (Reed 46), Rodman. Unused substitutes: Musselwhite, Platt, Challinor, Allan.

Burton Albion: Lyness; O’Connor (Taylor 52), Holness, Webster, McCrory; Dyer, Bell, Weir (McGrath 84), Maghoma (Phillips 84); Zola, Kee. Unused substitutes: Atkins, Palmer, Paterson.

Referee: S Duncan (Newcastle).