SIMON Heslop was sent off as York City slumped to a 2-0 home defeat against FC United of Manchester.

City midfielder Heslop saw red for a second bookable offence just past the hour with Tom Greaves and Jason Gilchrist going on to wrap up victory against the ten men.

The host had earlier seen Sean Newton and Michael Rankine both hit the frame of the goal and a mishit Kaine Felix effort cleared off the line, but it was an, otherwise, disjointed attacking display by the hosts.

City had struggled to assert themselves during the first 45 minutes, showing a lack of incision in the final third, with more touches on the ball often taken than necessary.

Heslop also found the going a little tough in the midfield anchor role he was asked to fulfil in the absence of thigh-injury victim Adriano Moke, with too many passes going astray.

Nevertheless, Gary Mills' men had started the game on the offensive with Aidan Connolly, making his first start of the season, hacked down crudely after just 25 seconds to earn Matty Hughes the afternoon’s first caution.

Jon Parkin, meanwhile, lofted a 12-yard effort into Grosvenor Road after a speedy, right-wing burst by Felix, who was in a City starting XI for the first time since last October.

At the other end, Craig Lindfield glanced a header wide from Connor McCarthy’s left-wing cross, while Josh Law and Amari Morgan-Smith both saw chances deflected wide – the first from a free kick off the defensive wall and the second after Connolly’s through ball gave him a sight of goal.

Lindfield’s long-range shot on the turn then cleared the crossbar, before sloppy play by Heslop sent Gilchrist through on goal but, after he clipped the ball past an advancing Jon Worsnop, Hamza Bencherif raced back to clear off the line.

On 40 minutes, Newton’s excellent left-wing cross picked out Parkin on the far post, but he could not bundle the ball in after failing to making a clean connection following a couple of attempts.

Bencherif went on to head wide from a Morgan-Smith corner with Connolly unable to hook a bouncing ball towards goal from close in.

After the break, Newton drilled a firm 15-yard drive across goal and against Lloyd Allinson's upright after exchanging passes with Felix through the left channel.

Felix's scruffy shot in the ensuing scramble was then cleared off the line.

Shortly afterwards, Newton saw another attempt deflected against the roof of the David Longhurst Stand, while Michael Connor and Connor McCarthy both missed the target from distance for FC United.

Heslop went on to receive his marching orders on 62 minutes when his reckless lunge for the ball saw him clatter into Nathan Lowe, resulting in a second yellow card after being booked for dissent in the first period.

At the other end, Lowe curled a free kick wide and shot over from 30 yards while, before leaving the action, Parkin fired wide of the near post after latching on to Worsnop's long kick forward through the right channel.

His replacement Rankine went on to prod a five-yard shot on the turn against Allinson's right-hand post after Sam Muggleton had helped on a forward ball from Connor Smith.

A blunder by Allinson also gifted Morgan-Smith with possession on the edge of the away box but, in front of a gaping goal, he drilled his shot straight at Hughes' back.

It was the Minstermen, though, who fell behind on 77 minutes.

James Hopper led a swift counter attack before playing Gilchrist in through the middle after he escaped the attentions of Muggleton.

The visiting striker's shot was saved by Worsnop, but Greaves followed up to net from seven yards.

In response, Rankine headed off target from a Newton cross and a Muggleton edge-of-the-box effort was deflected wide.

But the Lancashire part-timers doubled their advantage in the first minute of stoppage time from a corner, conceded after Worsnop had saved well low to his left from Greaves.

The resulting flag kick was only cleared as far as Gilchrist who, from 15 yards, beat the City keeper with the aid of a deflection.

Newton ended the game by blasting a free kick well over and the final whistle was greeted by boos from sections of the home crowed.

City

Jon Worsnop 6

Josh Law 6

Hamza Bencherif 7

Dan Parslow 6

Alex Whittle 6

Simon Heslop 4

Sean Newton 7

Aidan Connolly 5

Kaine Felix 5

Jon Parkin 5

Amari Morgan-Smith 5

Substitutes: Sam Muggleton 5 (for Felix, 50), Michael Rankine 6 (for Connolly, 56), Connor Smith 6 (for Parkin, 67).

Subs not used: Theo Wharton, Jassem Sukar.

City star man: Bencherif – defended with determination

FC United of Manchester

Lloyd Allinson, Danny Brady, Jordan Fagbola, Matty Hughes, Daniel Wisdom, Craig Lindfield (James Hooper, 46), Scott Kay, Nathan Lowe (Steve Irwin, 67), Michael Connor, Connor McCarthy (Tom Greaves, 72), Jason Gilchrist. 

Subs not used: Joel Logan, Joel Senior.

Referee: David McNamara rating: 6/10

Booked: Hughes 1, Connor 27, Heslop 31, Kay 52

Sent off: Heslop 62

Attendance: 3,411 (570 from FC United of Manchester)

Shots on target: City 8, FC United of Manchester 6

Shots off target: City 9, FC United of Manchester 6

Corners: City 12, FC United of Manchester 4

Fouls conceded: City 8, FC United of Manchester 8

Offside: City 3, FC United of Manchester 3