BOOTHAM Crescent might have banned shredded paper but shredded nerves are much more difficult to combat at the home of York City.

The Minstermen faithful, which numbered an impressive 5,391 on Saturday, have been put through the wringer this season and had to endure another nail-biting end at home to Southend.

Never mind paper cuts – the Health and Safety explanation for club officials prohibiting homemade confetti prior to this game – City supporters were probably under greater threat from chewing their own hands off as an 87th-minute Southend effort was ruled out for offside, followed by two Chris Smith clearances off the line deep into stoppage time.

The City skipper’s interventions meant the difference between needing to win this weekend’s season-ending match at Dagenham and the point now required to ensure Football League survival.

With Dagenham one place below fifth-bottom City and relegation rivals Barnet and AFC Wimbledon, who are currently 22nd and 23rd respectively in the standings, both easily capable of winning their final fixtures, few supporters of Nigel Worthington’s men will find it easy to relax during another long wait for their side’s next game.

Those fears, however, could be swiftly allayed at Victoria Road this weekend if the visitors can be as clinical in front of goal as they were against Southend.

Marksmen Adam Reed and Matty Blair were as sharp as one of those dangerously-dissected sheets of A4 with their first-half finishes as they converted two of only four on-target efforts created by the Minstermen.

Reed pounced after just 63 seconds to give City the lead and, after Ryan Leonard equalised midway through the first half, Blair drilled in a 41st-minute shot that proved the match-winning strike.

Typically, though, there were several scares before the hosts pocketed maximum points.

On-loan Sunderland midfielder Reed opened the scoring when he lifted a measured volley over Southend ’keeper Daniel Bentley’s head from six yards after Blair’s deflected cross from the right.

Reed also tested Bentley with an edge-of-the-box effort that kicked up off the turf on 19 minutes.

Seconds earlier, Barry Corr had headed the Essex side’s first goal attempt straight at Michael Ingham but Leonard soon levelled.

Following trickery down the right flank from former Coventry and Wolves winger Freddy Eastwood, Leonard reacted smartly in the penalty box to glance a header into Ingham’s bottom right-hand corner after Jack O’Connell had sliced an attempted clearance up into the air.

The visitors then retained possession well for the remainder of the half although could only muster a Corr header that hit the roof of the David Longhurst Stand from Eastwood’s centre.

At the other end, Reed went down in the box under pressure from Luke Prosser but was penalised with a yellow card for supposed simulation.

City forged in front again, however, when Ashley Chambers and O’Connell made inroads down the left flank.

The latter then delivered a deep cross to the far post, where Jason Walker leapt highest to head back towards goal.

Tom Platt went on to nudge the ball towards Blair, who rifled a firm drive past Bentley from 12 yards.

In the second half, Eastwood remained Southend’s biggest attacking inspiration, providing two more headed chances for Corr that the Irishman failed to score from.

Eastwood, himself, also drove off target from 15 yards while City looked to Lanre Oyebanjo’s long throws for encouragement but both Blair and Platt could not find the net with their heads either.

After Platt had then teed up Walker for a 15-yard shot that called Bentley into a smart save low to his right, the home fans were forced to suffer a familiarly anxious finale.

There was huge relief when a flag was raised after the ball struck substitute Gavin Tomlin and flew into the net when he charged on to a Corr header from Leonard’s right-wing cross.

In the last of five signalled minutes at the end of the game, Corr then shot through Ingham’s legs only for Smith to clear off the line.

The talismanic City captain and ’keeper then combined to prevent Leonard driving in a firm follow-up attempt from 15 yards.

Jonathan Meades’ late equaliser for Wimbledon at Gillingham, meanwhile, ensured the players’ traditional lap of honour at the end of the club’s last home game of the season was suitably low key.

Come 5pm on Saturday, whatever the final outcome, the scenes at Dagenham are certain to be anything but.


Match facts

York City 2 (Reed 1; Blair 41); Southend Utd 1 (Leonard 22)

York City

Michael Ingham 7
Not one of his busiest afternoons, but dealt with most things competently.

Lanre Oyebanjo 8
Going about his business with a typical lack of fuss and his long throws were always a threat.

Chris Smith 9
STAR MAN – his determination not to be beaten was epitomised by the last-gasp clearances off the line.

David McGurk 9
Perfectly-timed tackles combined with flawless positional play on his return to the team.

Jack O’Connell 7
Recovered from a mistake for Southend’s goal to play an important role in Blair’s decisive strike.

Dan Parslow 8
Never strayed from his position in front of the back four, heading away countless long balls through the middle.

Adam Reed 8
Proving adept at ghosting into the box for important goals and did not shirk a challenge either, leading to his injury.

Tom Platt 8
Tireless in his midfield work and displayed impressive awareness to tee up team-mates in the penalty box.

Matty Blair 9
His direct and positive play was a factor in both City goals and always an outlet. A little surprising when he was withdrawn.

Jason Walker 7
Fought to keep possession for his side and won an unlikely header for Blair’s winning goal.

Ashley Chambers 8
Worked hard up and down the flank and helped O’Connell deal with Eastwood during the first half.

Subs: Jon Challinor 7 – eager (for, Reed, 56), Michael Coulson (for Blair, 88), David McDaid (for Walker, 88). Not used: Jameson, Fyfield, McLaughlin, Allan.

Southend United

Daniel Bentley, Sean Clohessy, Ryan Cresswell, Luke Prosser, Anthony Straker, Marc Laird (Gavin Tomlin, 52), Matthew Lund, Ryan Leonard, Barry Corr, Britt Assombalonga (Kevan Hurst, 69), Freddy Eastwood.

Subs not used: Paul Smith, Michael Spillane, Mark Phillips, Chris Barker, Mitchell Pinnock.

Star man: Eastwood – showed flashes of the ability that once earned him two £1 million moves.

Referee: Graham Salisbury (Preston).

Rating: 5/10 – error-strewn and hapless throughout, summed up by the stoppage to tie his laces.

Booked: Reed 36, Platt 73, Clohessy 90.

Sent off: None.

Attendance: 5,975 (584 from Southend).

Shots on target: City 4, Southend 5.

Shots off target: City 3, Southend 3.

Corners: City 1, Southend 1.

Fouls conceded: City 7, Southend 14.

Offsides: City 0, Southend 1.