MANCHESTER part-timers Curzon Ashton dumped York City out of the FA Cup following a 2-1 replay defeat at the Tameside Stadium.

Returning double-Wembley winning boss Gary Mills was given a clear indication of the size of his task on his return to Bootham Crescent after Richard Brodie’s seventh goal of the season on five minutes was cancelled out by Alex Brown and Niall Cummins efforts.

The result meant the visitors missed out on almost certain TV coverage with a first round proper trip to Hereford-based, Midlands League premier division outfit Westfields – the lowest-ranked club left in the competition - awaiting the winners.

But, in truth, Curzon’s victory was the reward for being the better side over the two matches.

The Minstermen forged ahead in spectacular style when the ball bounced up off a wet surface invitingly for Brodie and his dipping 25-yard half volley sailed over the head of home keeper Hakan Burton.

But the rest of the half belonged to Curzon, who passed the ball around well, as they had two days earlier, while the visitors failed to create another opportunity before the interval.

On ten minutes, Cummins saw a deflected shot diverted wide before Chris Rowney missed the target from 25 yards.

A James Baillie free kick, conceded by Danny Galbraith, also cleared the crossbar and Jordan Wright’s sidefooted effort flashed across the face of goal.

Connor Hampson, meanwhile, went close with a near-post header from Luke Clark’s corner before the latter’s 25-yard shot drifted just wide.

On 33 minutes, Luke Simpson made a fine save to keep out Cummins’ downward header from an excellent right-wing Rowney cross to the far post, while Clark fired too high moments later.

But Curzon finally grabbed a deserved equaliser on 41 minutes when a shaky Simpson failed to deal with a cross in from the right and the home side won the loose ball with Brown pouncing to stab in from seven yards.

The Minstermen then fell behind on 51 minutes when Joe Guest crashed to the deck after he ghosted in between Lanre Oyebanjo and Jack Higgins.

Cummins’ poorly-struck spot kick was subsequently saved by Simpson but the Curzon lone striker followed up to net.

City managed their second shot of the game on 65 minutes when sub Daniel Nti’s angled drive was kept out at his near post by Burton.

At the other end, a hopeful long-range Rowney effort was deflected wide off Oyebanjo, while Matt Fry’s 35-yard attempt flew over for City.

A sliding Scott Fenwick also failed to convert Alex Whittle’s inviting left-wing cross to the far post, while Simon Heslop curled the Minstermen’s final opportunity over from 20 yards in stoppage time.

There was still time for Simpson to save from Ryan Hall and Brown to drive wide from 20 yards, before delighted home supporters spilled on to the pitch at the final whistle.

City

Luke Simpson: 5

Shaun Rooney: 5

Jack Higgins: 5

Matt Fry: 6

Alex Whittle: 6

Lanre Oyebanjo: 5

Simon Heslop: 5

Yan Klukowski: 4

Kaine Felix: 4

Richard Brodie: 5

Danny Galbraith: 4

Substitutes: Clovis Kamdjo 5 (for Rooney, 46), Daniel Nti 5 (for Felix, 56), Scott Fenwick 5 (for Klukowski, 46).

Subs not used: Matty Dixon, Callum Rzonca, Kyle Letheren, Sam Fielding.

Star man: Whittle – team’s most consistent performer

Curzon Ashton

Hakan Burton, James Baillie, Jonathan Hunt, Jamie Stott, Connor Hampson, Jordan Wright (Ryan Hall, 83), Chris Rowney (Iain Howard, 74), Luke Clark, Alex Brown, Joe Guest, Niall Cummins.

Subs not used: Paul Ennis, Cameron Mason, Rory Gorman, Liam Tomsett.

Referee: Anthony Backhouse rating: 5/10

Booked: Guest 59, Fry 66, Brodie 68, Kamdjo 85, Heslop 86.

Shots on target: Curzon 5, City 2

Shots off target: Curzon 9, City 3

Corners: Curzon 10, City 1

Fouls conceded: Curzon 9, City 20

Offside: Curzon 3, City 2