SEAN Newton’s 94th-minute winner secured a precious 2-1 victory for York City over promotion hopefuls Barrow.

The Minstermen had earlier led at half-time courtesy of on-loan Cheltenham striker Amari Morgan-Smith’s second goal in as many games.

Jordan Williams then levelled on 73 minutes for the Cumbrians, before Newton fired firmly past Jonathan Flatt in front of a jubilant David Longhurst End to give Gary Mills’ men a deserved three points.

City set a good pace from the start with Parkin’s six-yard volley saved by Jon Flatt in the first minute following Alex Whittle’s cross to the far post.

An angled Shaun Rooney drive from 20 yards also called Flatt into early action.

At the other end, Byron Harrison headed well off target following a left-wing Nick Anderton cross before the hosts deservedly forged in front on 21 minutes.

Kyle Letheren’s big punt forward was headed on by Parkin and a gambling Morgan-Smith capitalised on a favourable bounce to prod the ball past an advancing Flatt.

Moments later, Parkin went close to doubling the lead when he pounced on a loose ball in the visitors’ box, but his shot was deflected just wide.

The powerhouse striker then collected a low Simon Lappin free kick into the box – a routine previously witnessed at Dover – but lifted his 12-yard attempt over after cutting on to his left foot.

In response, Richie Bennett’s 15-yard shot on the turn for Barrow was comfortably gathered by Letheren.

After the interval, Harrison fired wide of the near post after being played through the right channel by Paul Turnbull, while Bennett’s glancing header only required a routine catch from Letheren.

Parkin, meanwhile, forced a flying save from Flatt with a terrific 25-yard half volley just before the hour mark.

For Barrow, Turnbull fizzed a firm volley across the face of goal and narrowly wide, while Williams dragged well off target from distance.

But Williams was more clinical on 73 minutes when the ball failed to run through to Letheren and he nicked it away from the City keeper’s fingertips, before swivelling and finding an empty net from 15 yards.

Bennett headed over shortly afterwards but Parkin went on to thunder a ten-yard shot against Flatt’s right-hand post after Whittle had pulled the ball back from the byline.

On 83 minutes, Bennett’s downward header then bounced well wide, while City sub Vadaine Oliver rose high to meet Newton’s inviting free kick from the right, only to see his powerful header pushed around his right-hand post by Flatt.

But City mustered one final push and, when the ball travelled across the face of the away goal, Newton drilled a powerful 12-yard shot home.