5 Things We Learned from York City's 2-1 win against Bradford Park Avenue

Having poached a goal off City’s master marksman at Wembley in the FA Trophy final, the roles have certainly been reversed in recent weeks with Connolly providing assists for three of Parkin’s goals in the last five games. Two of those have come as a result of penalties, won by the diminutive Scotsman, but Connolly also teed up Parkin for another goal against Darlington nine days ago, only for the effort to be dubiously disallowed by an offside flag.

Against Bradford Park Avenue, even though he is under pressure to add to his two goals this term, Connolly delivered on his pre-match promise to carry on setting up better-placed team-mates, as a perfectly-weighted pass through the left channel meant a galloping Parkin hardly had to break his stride before beating away keeper Stephen Drench at his near post. On a productive afternoon, in which his willingness to probe helped City get up the field and carry the game to their opponents, Connolly also created further openings for Sean Newton, Adriano Moke and Amari Morgan-Smith, while managing a couple of long-range efforts himself.

With Alex Pattison having returned on loan to Middlesbrough, the Minstermen might have to devise a different dynamic to their attacking approach play and Connolly’s devilment could compensate for the loss of the 20-year-old’s explosive runs through the right channel.

2 City’s top scorer is looking fitter

It seems strange to think that when Parkin first returned to Bootham Crescent on loan from Newport 14 months ago, there were reservations about his ability to complete three games in a week or, indeed, to play a full 90 minutes in matches. Now, with his potential to score a goal at any stage of a game, it would seem nonsensical to have him off the pitch for a single second.

City chief Martin Gray is clearly of the same opinion, with Parkin having started and finished each of the last ten fixtures and only been taken off once during the former Sunderland midfielder’s 15-game tenure, when James Gray replaced him 71 minutes into the 2-1 home win over Curzon Ashton at the start of November. No player has enjoyed more game time under Gray and Parkin, rather than looking tired following that schedule, appears sprightlier than at any point since his return to North Yorkshire despite turning 36 a fortnight ago.

His charge into the penalty box to latch on to Connolly’s through ball was an unexpected, overlapping treat and, whilst others around him are happy to do the leg work, he also harassed defenders to good effect at Darlington. Energy conservation will continue to be a consideration for a player of Parkin’s size and age, but it’s bad news for opposition National League North defences that the division’s leading marksman is looking even sharper, as the campaign nears its business end.

3 Manager Gray is prepared to react tactically during games

One of the biggest criticisms levelled by detractors of previous boss Gary Mills was the three-time Wembley winner’s lack of flexibility. During Mills’ first spell with the club, he remained anchored to the 4-3-3 system that won the club promotion from the Conference, even when the team began to find the going tough during that first campaign back in the Football League and he subseuquently lost his job.

Following Vadaine Oliver’s return to the club midway through last season, Mills did deviate from his favoured formation by employing a 3-4-3 line-up, but he reverted to type this term and certain sections of City’s fan base again grew frustrated by the manager’s perceived refusal to change playing style during fixtures, with Plan B normally amounting to the introduction of long-throw specialist Sam Muggleton. Mills was certainly a confirmed sceptic in relation to the merits of 4-4-2 football, but it was the old English favourite that Gray turned to, as he sensed the balance of the game might be shifting in the visitors’ favour early in the second period, even with his team leading 1-0.

Opting to be proactive rather than reactive, the former Darlington boss hauled off midfield anchorman Daniel Rowe and dispensed with his 4-1-3-2 diamond formation to attack more down the flanks and it seemed to work as City got back on the front foot. Whilst it is always beneficial for any team to have an established pattern of play that a group of players are most comfortable with, it is also important to have the capacity to change tact in a manner that suits any individual game and Gray appeared to get that call right at the weekend.

4 The Minstermen are still gifting too many chances to teams

Just as against Coalville Town in November, the Minstermen contrived to concede a goal in stoppage time when only a second clean sheet in 19 games was tantalisingly close. But, in truth, the hosts had ridden their luck at other points in the game with David Ferguson the only member of the back four not guilty of a piece of sloppy play that contributed to a good chance for the visitors.

Despite looking the better side against fellow play-off hopefuls, City still saw the frame of their goal tested twice and Adam Boyes denied by an outstanding Adam Bartlett save, before the ex-City striker did grab a 92nd-minute consolation after Hamza Bencherif was robbed of possession just outside his own box. Defensive focus must still be improved in coming weeks if City are to add to their only shut-out – against bottom-of-the-table North Ferriby – since September 9.

5 Amari Morgan-Smith looks a bigger goal threat off the bench

Following his goal as a substitute at Kidderminster, ex-Luton and Cheltenham forward Morgan-Smith was given a run of four consecutive starts, but could not find the net in any of those contests. He might perhaps still count himself a little unfortunate to be dropped against Bradford Park Avenue, having troubled Darlington in the previous game with his honest endeavour, but it took his introduction from the bench to get him back on the scoresheet against Bradford.

Gray must now decide whether to reward Morgan-Smith with another recall to the first XI or ponder if his busy running has more of an impact when introduced from the dugout as fatigue creeps into the legs of opposing defenders.