YORK City christened their new-look Brazilian' away kit with an excellent 2-1 victory at Conference title favourites Stevenage Borough.

Clayton Donaldson - or should that be Donaldinho'? - scored a goal any yellow-clad South American would have been proud of and, after Stevenage levelled the scores from the penalty spot, Steve Bowey struck from 20 yards to seal a deserved win after the visitors dominated the second period.

City put in prodigious amounts of work for their three points with forwards Donaldson and Craig Farrell leading the way.

The pair put in tireless displays, stretching the home defence at every opportunity and providing their side with more attacking options than had been evident during Saturday's 0-0 draw with Exeter.

At the back, David McGurk was typically imperious alongside the reliable James Dudgeon and Anthony Lloyd made a mature debut at left-back after replacing Nathan Peat, who was hauled off in the 21st minute having been cautioned and then conceding a penalty in the opening exchanges.

The midfield, led by a strong performance from skipper Manny Panther, also showed a level of endurance that their hosts struggled to contend with.

Donaldson's pace worried Stevenage from the start and, after just 21 seconds, he raced clear of the home defence to collect a Mark Convery long pass only to prod his shot wide.

Five minutes later, the same players combined in similar fashion to open the scoring.

This time, Donaldson cut inside Barry Fuller and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the roof of Dannie Potter's goal.

Stevenage levelled the scores on 21 minutes after lively right-winger Craig Dobson accepted Peat's invitation to tumble over his outstretched leg in the penalty box.

Adam Miller crashed his spot-kick in off the crossbar but was ordered to retake his effort after encroachmment.

The Stevenage midfielder kept his composure in impressive fashion, though, finding Tom Evans' bottom right-hand corner.

Peat had earlier been cautioned after scything down home striker Jon Nurse on ten minutes, and his second misdemenaour saw an unimpressed Billy McEwan bring a premature end to his evening's work.

Moments later, George Boyd fired narrowly wide from 20 yards after sidestepping a McGurk challenge.

But the Minstermen should have taken a lead into the interval with Craig Farrell and Donaldson both wasting excellent one-one-one chances on the stroke of half-time.

Farrell fired straight at Potter, and Donaldson, whose frightening speed had once again taken him clear of the home defence, then flashed his shot wide.

City continued to press forward after the break with Neal Bishop's low drive hitting the post on 49 minutes.

Farrell then went close twice before Donaldson fed Bowey, who weighed up his options before curling a right-footed shot into Potter's bottom left-hand corner from 20 yards on 64 minutes.

The Minstermen went on to protect all three points in a manner that was rarely achieved last season.

Evans dealt well with a number of crosses into his penalty box although Luke Oliver's looping 69th-minute header from a Boyd free-kick did rattle his bar.

Anything less than a City victory, though, would have been a travesty and McEwan can take satisfaction from collecting four points from a possible six against difficult early-season opponents.

Match facts

Stevanage 1, Miller (pen) 21

York City 2, Donaldson 6, Bowey 64

City ratings:

Key: 10 - Faultless; 9 - Outstanding; 8 - Excellent; 7 - Good; 6 - Average; 5 - Below par; 4 - Poor; 3 - Dud; 2 - Hopeless; 1 - Retire

Evans 8

Craddock 8

Dudgeon 8

McGurk 9

Peat 6 (Lloyd 21min, 8)

Convery 8

Panther 8

Bishop 8 (Greenwood 83m)

Bowey 8

Farrell 9 (Webster, 90min)

Donaldson 9Subs (not used): Reid, Weaver.

Star man: Clayton Donaldson - a constant threat and worked himself into the ground, and got a fine goal as well.

Player watch: Clayton Donaldson

Shots on target: 1

Shots off target: 2

Passes to own player: 17

Passes to opposition: 9

Crosses to own player: 0

Crosses to opposition: 0

Pass success rate: 65 per cent

Dribbles ball retained: 4

Dribbles ball lost: 7

Dribble success rate: 36 per cent

Fouls won: 3

Fouls conceded: 6

Headers: 10

Tackles: 2

Clearances, blocks and interceptions: 0

Offsides: 1

Bookings: 1

Final summary: Donaldson never stopped working for his team's cause and his pace and movement off the ball terrorised Stevenage from the start. He scored an excellent goal and also conceded seven free-kicks trying to win the ball back for his side, which was a reflectiion of his workrate, although he did earn a yellow card for one of his challenges.