York City 3 Dagenham and Redbridge 0: Fletcher at the double as York ease drop fears

Having opened 2014 with a 1-0 victory over Morecambe at Bootham Crescent, the Minstermen saw off Dagenham & Redbridge 3-1 in front of their own supporters thanks to goals by Wes Fletcher (2) and Ryan Bowman.

That six-point haul represents the first time York have won consecutive home fixtures in the same season since New Year’s Day 2013 when Burton were beaten 3-0 prior to an awful 16-game run without a victory.

Few people are predicting the same fate for Nigel Worthington’s team this time around with strikers Fletcher and Bowman proving the Minstermen boast the necessary firepower to steer clear of trouble even in the absence of injured nine-goal marksman Ryan Jarvis.

Bowman gave York the lead on 51 minutes when he fired past Chris Lewington from 10 yards out after Michael Coulson teed him up.

The hosts then forged further in front when Fletcher’s left-wing cross sailed over the head of a helpless Lewington.

Ex-Burnley striker Fletcher went on to claim his tenth goal of the season with a low 10-yard shot past Lewington after Coulson’s right-wing cross into the box.

Rhys Murphy managed an 80th-minute consolation for the visitors following a Ben Davies mistake but, despite the convincing win, York boss Worthington was in no mood for back-slapping.

He said: “We are 17th in the table now but that is neither here nor there really and 28 points won’t get you anywhere. There is plenty of hard work left to do to get where we want to be and everybody needs to stay focussed.”

York: Ingham; Oyebanjo, Lowe, McGurk, Davies; Carson (Puri, 77), Montrose, Platt, Coulson (Chambers, 84); Bowman, Fletcher. Unused substitutes: Chambers, Fyfield, McDonald, Allan, Brobbel, Whitehouse.

Dagenham: Lewington; Hoyte, Doe, Saah, Ilesanmi; Ogogo, Wilkinson (Edgar, 62,), Howell; Elito (Obafemi, 76,), Murphy, Hines. Unused substitutes: Scott, Dickson, Shields, Connors, Anderson.

Referee: G Sutton (Gainsborough)

Man of the match: Wes Fletcher