York set ‘benchmark with last-gasp victory

The former Burnley striker pounced following a cross by substitute Michael Coulson after on-loan Sunderland striker 
Mikael Mandron had cancelled out an own goal from his team-mate Conor McLaughlin at the end of the first half.

Victory for the Minstermen ended a run of three games without a win, or a goal, against a high-flying Fleetwood team who had taken 13 points from a possible 15 in 2014.

York manager Nigel Worthington said: “This is a benchmark for us now because we played some very good football against a very good side in difficult conditions.”

The visitors, a strong wind at their backs, went ahead in first-half stoppage time when McLaughlin headed in a corner from on-loan winger Will Hayhurst.

Fleetwood equalised on 71 minutes when substitute Mandron netted following a scramble in the six-yard box after York goalkeeper Nick Pope had failed to gather Alan Goodall’s inswinging free-kick. David Ball headed against the crossbar for the hosts before Coulson burst down the left flank and sent in low cross that saw Fletcher beat home goalkeeper Scott Davies from six yards.

Fleetwood Town: Davies, McLaughlin, Roberts, Pond, Taylor; Ball, Goodall, Murdoch (Mandron, 65), Schumacher (Brown, 66), Sarcevic; Parkin. Unused substitutes: Evans, Hogan, Cresswell, Jordan, Maxwell.

York City: Pope; Oyebanjo, Lowe, McCombe, Davies; Carson, Penn, Reed, Hayhurst (Coulson, 83); Bowman, Fletcher. Unused substitutes: Ingham, Platt, Dickinson, Puri, McDonald, Allan.

Referee: Chris Kavanagh (Stanford-le-Hope).

York man of the match: Keith Lowe.