AN unfortunate stretcher bearer might have stolen the show when he dropped injured Worcester striker Colby Bishop, but York City’s 3-1 FA Trophy victory was just the lift the hosts needed following an 18-match run without a win.

The biggest laugh of the afternoon certainly came at the expense of the first-aid volunteer who, in a seasonal scene that was pure pantomime, slipped and crashed to the deck along with a bemused Bishop and, then, after getting to his feet, fell down again having tripped over his colleague’s bag, before limping to the touchline.

It clearly wasn’t what returning boss Gary Mills had in mind when he vowed to put smiles back on faces at Bootham Crescent and it is to be hoped the medical assistant is in good health, but the episode certainly brought some welcome light relief for the long-suffering Minstermen faithful, who might also have ended the afternoon beginning to believe that their former double Wembley-winning manager may be ready to deliver on that promise. They had, after all, seen another virtuoso performance from a striker in Jon Parkin, who owns one of the widest grins in football.

Just before the quarter-hour mark, Parkin celebrated a first goal at his old stamping ground since netting for Macclesfield in April 2004 – an effort that sent the Minstermen spiralling towards their first relegation from the Football League.

On an afternoon of mishaps, Graham Hutchison had earlier put through his own goal to hand the hosts a third-minute lead, Away sub Junior English went on to reduce the deficit in the second half before home debutant Rhys Murphy wrapped up matters from the penalty spot on 87 minutes, meaning City supporters could toast a weekend win for only the fifth time in 2016.

The performances of both Parkin and Murphy, following on from the pair’s efforts at Tranmere seven days earlier, will have certainly raised spirits and, while Worcester might be positioned in the wrong half of the National League North table, so were FA Cup conquerors Curzon Ashton and the progress made since those two ties against the Manchester part-timers was clear to see.

Murphy was credited with - and later claimed - his side’s opener, but his case would probably not stand the scrutiny of a dubious goals panel.

He was, however, in the right position to unnerve the visitors’ defence meeting Shaun Rooney’s firmly-driven low cross into the six-yard box after the latter had retrieved a left-flank delivery from fellow wing-back Alex Whittle.

The ball, which was travelling away rather than towards goal, then ricocheted off an unwitting Hutchison and ended up in the back of Ethan Ross’ net.

There was no confusion regarding Murphy’s next contribution, however, following an audacious assist for his team’s second goal on 14 minutes.

From Danny Holmes’ forward pass, he used his back heel to cleverly lift the ball over the Worcester defence.

Then, having anticipated his striking partner’s intentions, Parkin allowed the ball to sit up invitingly before smashing a ten-yard shot past Ross.

Parkin went on to turn provider, heading down Aarran Racine’s forward pass for Holmes to slice wide from the edge of the box.

Centre-back Matt Fry also attacked Holmes’ left-wing corner, but was off-target with his near-post header and, after Parkin’s dummy was read by Murphy, his lay-off teed up a 25-yard chance for Sean Newton that he lifted out of the ground.

Worcester’s first threat came in the fifth and final minute of stoppage time going into the break when Tyler Weir’s 20-yard curler was tipped over his crossbar by Kyle Letheren.

Within seconds of the restart, sub Jordan Murphy hit a rising drive into Letheren’s arms after Adriano Moke’s slip had gifted possession to Ebby Nelson-Addy.

But City quickly got back on top with Whittle seeing an edge-of-the-box effort deflected over at the end of a flowing move, while Fry’s downward header called Ross into action after a corner from Holmes, whose improvised volley forced a further save.

The energetic Holmes then retrieved a long ball through the right channel and sent in a cross that saw Murphy’s mistimed header fail to extend Ross.

Parkin went close too with a near-post flick-on from Holmes’ left-wing free kick and a header that looped over the visitors’ bar.

Against the run of play, though, the Midland outfit got back into the game when Murphy delivered a cross from the right and English firmly headed past Letheren from eight yards despite the City keeper getting a hand to his effort. A swift counter attack, started by Parkin’s headed clearance from a corner, then saw City sub Aidan Connolly find Murphy, but his deflected attempt was safely gathered by Ross.

As the game entered its final throes, minds turned to the 12 points City have lost in the last five minutes of matches this season as Micah Evans’ 20-yard effort drifted wide.

But, for once, it was the Minstermen who struck a decisive blow at the death.

Parkin showed great awareness to release Murphy with his cushioned header and, after the on-loan Forest Green forward was felled by a sliding Sharpe challenge, he sidefooted the subsequent spot kick down the middle of the goal as Ross dived to his right.

It meant a relieved Mills ended his 21-game wait for a victory as City boss if the tail-end of his previous tenure is taken into account.

With more than half of the starting XI now his recruits, though, Mills is confident that the next win will come much sooner.

City

Kyle Letheren: 7 – quiet afternoon but alert on handful of times he was needed

Aarran Racine: 7 – solid defensively and found his intended targets with ball

Yan Klukowski: 8 – showed good anticipation to snuff out danger several times

Matt Fry: 7 – gave another reliable performance and threatened at set-pieces

Shaun Rooney: 7 – occasional lapse but positive with his forward forays

Danny Holmes: 8 – bundle of energy and set tempo from midfield areas

Adriano Moke: 7 – kept possession ticking over with reliable passing

Sean Newton: 7 – dug in to win his tackles and spread play well

Alex Whittle: 7 – raided down left with determined intent

Jon Parkin: 8 – talisman throughout with great finish and header for penalty

STAR MAN Rhys Murphy: 8 – involved in all three goals, including exquisite assist for Parkin

Substitutes: Aidan Connolly 6 – eager (for Holmes, 68).

Subs not used: Daniel Nti, Robbie McDaid , Callum Rzonca, Luke Woodland.

Worcester

Ethan Ross, Andy Gallinagh (Junior English, 57), Tom Sharpe, Graham Hutchison, Tyler Weir, Micah Evans, Danny Jackman, Jordan Keane, Ebby Nelson-Addy (Steven Craig, 68), Cieron Keane, Colby Bishop (Jordan Murphy, 30).

Subs not used: Nick Draper, Connor Hughes.

Worcester star man: Cieron Keane – displayed good ball skills

Referee: Simon Barrow rating: 7/10 – decisive and reliable

Booked: Racine 50, Nelson-Addy 67, Sharpe 86, Weir 90+3

Attendance: 1,033 (82 from Worcester)

Shots on target: City 6, Worcester 3

Shots off target: City 6, Worcester 2

Corners: City 5, Worcester 3

Fouls conceded: City 16, Worcester 10

Offside: City 3, Worcester 1