THE demands on York City at Chester’s Deva Stadium could hardly have been any bigger.

A 2-0 midweek home defeat at Bromley had given a strong voice to those doubting the Minstermen’s ability to claw their way out of National League trouble with five fixtures to play.

But Gary Mills’ men, who have only lost three of their last 20 matches, were back on song and put on a great show to win by the same scoreline and climb out of the drop zone for the first time since November.

A goal in each half from Vadaine Oliver and Danny Holmes secured the precious points with the latter epitomising the value of a squad free from prima-donnas.

Holmes has been in and out of the team – but generally more out – since his autumn arrival from AFC Fylde.

If his ego has taken a bruising, though, he hasn’t sulked and, like the similarly, sparingly-used Scott Fenwick’s extra-time penalty at Lincoln that booked a day in the sun at Wembley, Holmes can now take satisfaction from making a possibly, pivotal contribution – or indeed two - to the fight against relegation. Mills quite rightly pointed out the importance of Holmes’ terrific recovery tackle when, at 1-0, he prevented a clear-through Johnny Hunt from having a free shot at Scott Loach’s goal.

The former Tranmere defender then went up the other end to ease the tension as he hammered in his first goal for the Minstermen from the edge of the box.

It was no more than the visitors deserved with Jon Parkin and Amari Morgan-Smith having rattled the frame of the goal.

Morgan-Smith was also denied by home keeper Alex Lynch in a one-on-one situation, as City overpowered a host side, managed by former Bootham Crescent favourite Jon McCarthy.

The away team had been a little more circumspect during the early exchanges, however, with Parkin wayward from the edge of the box and Morgan-Smith volleying wide from 15 yards after Oliver had helped on Holmes’ throw.

Lynch’s first save of the half was also a comfortable catch from Holmes whilst, at the other end, Durrell dragged off target from distance and then provided a left-wing free kick that Sam Hughes headed wide at the far post.

The match’s first real moment of incision, though, saw City open the scoring on 25 minutes.

Morgan-Smith drove upfield with the ball and then chose the perfect moment to release Oliver.

Taking the ball in his stride, the former Crewe striker then coolly rounded an advancing Lynch before rolling his shot into an unguarded net with just enough power to render meaningless the efforts of two covering defenders.

Chester’s best chance of the half saw Ryan Lloyd release Durrell through the right channel, but Scott Loach was equal to his firm angled drive.

Parkin, meanwhile, almost uprooted a well-beaten Lynch’s left-hand upright with a 20-yard howitzer after an Oliver lay-off.

A big clearance from deep in his own half by Parkin, which was misjudged by Hunt, under pressure from Morgan-Smith, then sent the City striker clear on the stroke of half-time.

But he could only fire his shot straight at the onrushing Lynch.

After the interval, Oliver won yet another ball into the box to tee up Morgan-Smith, who shot high at Lynch.

Chester briefly threatened with Lucas Dawson driving narrowly wide from 30 yards before Holmes made his perfectly-timed challenge on Hunt.

At the end of a patient passing move, Morgan-Smith then exchanged passes with Parkin before curling a 15-yard effort beyond Lynch but against his left-hand upright.

Another Dawson drive was gathered, meanwhile, by Loach, but Asa Hall fired inches over from just outside the penalty area before Holmes put the outcome beyond any doubt.

Oliver once more provided a reliable target as Sean Newton pumped a high ball into the home box and, picking up the pieces, Holmes sent a firm half-volley into the roof of the net from just inside the area on 75 minutes.

City went on to see the game out in a professional manner against McCarthy’s men, who remain without a home win in 2017, losing eight and drawing one in front of their frustrated fans.

Morgan-Smith might even have added to the scoreline late on, but his rising shot was pushed away by Lynch.

City: Scott Loach, Dan Parslow, Hamza Bencherif, Sean Newton, Danny Holmes, Simon Heslop, Asa Hall, Alex Whittle, Vadaine Oliver, Jon Parkin, Amari Morgan-Smith (Moke, 90+1). Subs not used: Shaun Rooney, Scott Fenwick, Aidan Connolly, Sam Muggleton.

Chester: Alex Lynch, Sam Hughes, Ryan Astles, Blaine Hudson (Luke George, 63), Johnny Hunt (Theo Vassell, 63), Matty Waters (Kane Richards, 64), Lucas Dawson, Tom Shaw, Ryan Lloyd, Elliott Durrell, James Alabi. Subs not used: Liam Roberts, Wade Joyce.

Chester star man: Dawson – spread play well at times

Referee: David Rock rating: 8/10 – difficult to find fault

Booked: Dawson 29, Morgan-Smith 72, Shaw 73

Attendance: 2,235

Shots on target: Chester 3, City 9

Shots off target: Chester 4, City 4

Corners: Chester 4, City 2

Fouls conceded: Chester 11, City 11

Offside: Chester 2, City 1