BRACES from Michael Rankine and Simon Heslop could not disguise the one or two teething problems York City are enduring as they acclimatise to life in National League North.

The Minstermen were 4-3 winners against Nuneaton, but should have enjoyed a far more comfortable afternoon given their level of superiority for the majority of the game – a judgement that could arguably be bestowed on all five of the club’s opening fixtures, aside from the 5-0 victory at Bradford Park Avenue.

City chief Gary Mills has spoken previously this term about the importance of taking a higher percentage of the many chances that are coming his team’s way.

In this contest, as at Bradford, that was not a concern with Rankine’s header and penalty sandwiching two volleyed Heslop strikes – the first a truly spectacular goal of the season contender.

But, it was at the other end of the pitch where a loss of focus unexpectedly saw the hosts holding on for victory during a fraught finale.

It did not help that a back line, with three consecutive clean sheets behind them, was broken up due to Hamza Bencherif’s suspension, which handed 20-year-old rookie Jassem Sukar a full debut for the club and an examination of his first-team credentials.

Sukar was given a difficult time, most notably by ex-City double Wembley winner Ashley Chambers, who won and converted a penalty, scored a second goal and then teed up Jordan Nicholson for a third on 89 minutes.

But, if Mills is still demanding better from his players following a points return of ten from a possible 15, it can only bode well for the coming weeks and months.

Rankine gave his side the lead after just 36 seconds when he guided a downward header past away keeper Tyrell Belford from four yards after Sean Newton’s left-wing cross had bounced invitingly up off the turf.

The skipper could also claim an assist for City’s second goal on 23 minutes when he sent in a corner from the right, won after Belford was forced to push over Amari Morgan-Smith’s looping header.

Nuneaton’s defence cleared their lines, but only as far as Heslop who, lurking on the edge of the box, decided not to let the ball bounce as it dropped from the sky and crashed a thumping effort into the roof of the visitors’ net in front of a delirious David Longhurst Stand.

Moments later, Rankine narrowly failed to apply the finishing touch to a Louis Almond cross from the left and it bounced just wide of Belford’s post.

Just past the half-hour mark, though, home keeper Jon Worsnop had to be quick out of his goal to execute a perfect block tackle on Brady Hickey after an unfortunate ricochet off Heslop had sent the away midfielder clear.

Nicholson also worked his way past Sukur through the right channel, but could not extend Worsnop from 15 yards, while Niall Heaton headed well over from Ryan Bewsick’s corner.

After Rankine had seen a deflected shot spin wide, the hosts added a third goal seven minutes after the restart from another cleared corner.

This time, Morgan-Smith’s left-sided flag kick was directed 15 yards from the visitors’ goal but Heslop, who had taken up the same position as before, made sure he was first to the descending ball and, after hitting it on the full again, he found the back of the net off Belford’s right-hand post.

Further chances saw Belford in the right position to repel an Almond drive and a towering header from Rankine, following Newton’s centre into the six-yard box.

Sukur also called the former Swindon net-minder into action after turning his man in the 18-yard area.

But, on the hour, Beswick side-footed wastefully wide from ten yards after defensive uncertainty had presented him with an open net.

Billy Daniels, meanwhile, fired just wide from distance before Chambers went to ground in front of City’s unimpressed supporters, as Worsnop looked to usher the ball out to the right of his goal.

Instead, he gave away the debatable spot kick that Chambers despatched firmly off the former Chester keeper’s left-hand upright midway through the second period.

On 69 minutes, referee Stephen Copeland awarded a second penalty, arguably just as dubious, when Nuneaton sub Bradley Gascoigne was penalised for holding on Rankine.

The latter immediately grabbed the ball and drilled straight down the middle from 12 yards, as Belford dived to his left.

Morgan-Smith should have done better with the Minstermen’s next opportunity, but lifted over from 15 yards after positive play down the right by Josh Law.

Instead, it was Tommy Wright’s men that staged a late rally, encouraged by Chambers’ second goal, as he pounced from a couple of yards after Worsnop had spilled Nicholson’s low centre from the left.

Chambers then turned provider, pulling the ball back from the left byline, through a channel that City were struggling to block off, so Nicholson could sidefoot into the bottom corner from ten yards.

An anxious wait followed before the hosts could celebrate a first win in six home games, stretching back to the 3-0 defeat of Braintree on April 1.

Only a fool would now predict that it will take just as long to enjoy the next one.

City

Jon Worsnop; Josh Law, Dan Parlsow, Jassem Sukar, Alex Whittle; Simon Heslop, Adriano Moke (Aidan Connolly, 63), Sean Newton; Louis Almond (Connor Smith, 78), Michael Rankine, Amari Morgan-Smith. Subs not used: Theo Wharton, Kaine Felix, Sam Muggleton.

Nuneaton

Tyrell Belford, Luther Wildin, Jon Ashton (Brad Gascoigne, 40), Niall Heaton, Courtney Wildin, Ryan Beswick, Billy Daniels, Tom Elliott (Mitchell Glover, 78), Jordan Nicholson, Brady Hickey (Callum Ball, 78), Ashley Chambers. Subs not used: Elliott Taylor, Alex Henshall.

Nuneaton star man: Chambers – won and scored a penalty, bagged a second goal and teed up a third

Referee: Stephen Copeland rating: 5/10 – iffy penalty decisions

Booked: None

Sent off: None

Attendance: 2,430 (101 from Nuneaton)

Shots on target: City 8, Nuneaton 5

Shots off target: City 5, Nuneaton 3

Corners: City 8, Nuneaton 2

Fouls conceded: City 8, Nuneaton 10

Offside: City 1, Nuneaton 1