Minstermen read their last rites

There was a dark, threatening cloud over Victoria Park this afternoon, befitting of the relegation looming over York City heads.

City went into the game knowing that, by the end of play, they could be up to 11 points adrift with just 12 left to play for. After 11 games without a win, nothing but three points would do for the Minstermen.

With just ninety seconds on the clock, City keeper Scott Flinders was forced to back-pedal furiously. A Hartlepool header scooped towards the back post had looked destined to drop in, only to nestle harmlessly atop the net.

Five minutes later and it looked like Lady Luck may just hail from Yorkshire. A simple back pass to Pools keeper Trevor Carson saw him slip to his knees on the sodden surface, only to recover in the nick of time.

It was a stark reminder to fans and players alike that this was a competition, and the fat lady had yet to sing.

Further chances fell to Pools. Luke James scooping over from close range with his right, before Nathan Thomas, given alarming space to run into, did the same with his left.

Pools tried ‘route one’ next, as Carson’s kick from the back went through to Thomas again, his shot from an angle strongly palmed away.

But it had been coming, and the resulting corner finally punished the Minstermen.

A simple cross saw winger Thomas stroll into the box and tap home from a matter of yards. It was the story of City’s season, lax marking at a set-piece, and that elusive second-away win was becoming a pipe dream yet again.

The hill to climb became a mountain on 34 minutes as Dave Winfield received his second yellow for the visitors. Booked earlier for a clothesline on James, a clumsy challenge on Thomas saw the City centre-back receive his marching orders.

As one of the forerunners for York City’s ‘player of the year’, you would forgive those in the boardroom for taking a leaf out of Aston Villa’s book and abandoning the concept altogether.

Vadaine Oliver was sacrificed, as Femi Ilesamni entered the fray. It was starting to feel like a cricket score was on the cards.

York-born Michael Duckworth was denied by the legs of Flinders as he looked to build on his assist for Pools’ first. Minutes later he forced a diving save from range as Flinders pushed another effort wide.

Then just as the additional minutes were announced across the tannoy, York City ripped up the script.

A corner from the right found Kyle Cameron running in, who deftly bowed to nod the ball home into the opposite corner.

Against all the odds, the teams were level, and City showing an uncharacteristic venom.

News filtered through that Stevenage were winning. With results as they stood, a draw would be of no use.

Back to back corners before the hour mark suggested hope for City, but Pools keeper Carson remained untested.

The home side came again, spreading the play with their man advantage. Michael Woods shot straight at Flinders, before a diving header from James crept agonisingly wide.

City right-back Luke Hendrie got in behind the back four, but his cross was palmed away. Hendrie cut in again, Lewis Allesandra’s shot this time blocked.

It was end to end stuff.

Next up was Woods again. Another close-range strike diverted wide by Flinders, who was having an impressive afternoon against his old club.

But for all the keeper’s heroics, Woods was to have the final word.

With pressure mounting, two former Chelsea youngsters combined, captain Carl Magnay sweeping a cross in, which was met by Woods, another York-born talent in blue.

This time the midfielder made no mistake, nodding in against the inside of the post, leaving Flinders rooted to the spot. An impressive finish to cap off what would turn out to be a ‘man of the match’ performance.

There was time for Flinders to deny James once more to win their personal battle with an acrobatic tip over the bar, but the scoreline was not to change.

The Minstermen fell to their 24th league defeat of the season, and as the 527 visiting fans made the short journey down the A19 tonight, there will have been no doubt in their minds as to which road York City are travelling down.