JON Parkin thumped in an absolute blockbuster of a free kick to earn Martin Gray maximum points during his first game as York City manager.

The Minstremen’s talisman grabbed his second goal of the afternoon in spectacular fashion on 86 minutes after Aaron Williams had cancelled out his first-half opener on 69 minutes.

City made the early running as Parkin glanced a header over following Josh Law’s free kick with less than five minutes on the clock.

After good work by Sean Newton down the left, Simon Heslop then couldn’t direct a near-post attempt towards goal.

Newton also saw a 25-yard drive deflect over off Alex Gudger, while Dan Parslow’s header landed on the roof of the net after recalled attacker Aidan Connolly had won an aerial ball in the box.

Brackley’s only opportunity of the first half saw Parslow deflect an Aaron Williams header away from the home goal on 14 minutes.

But, after a flying Danny Lewis had tipped over Amari Morgan-Smith’s header from Connolly’s right-wing cross, the Minstermen forged in front following Parkin’s seventh goal of the season.

The veteran forward headed in firmly from four yards on 20 minutes after Parslow had got the faintest of flick-ons to Newton’s inswinging right-wing corner.

After the break, Aaron Williams charged down the side of Parslow through the right channel, but his drive from an acute angle was parried away by Luke Simpson, preferred in the home goal to Jon Worsnop.

Lee Ndlovu also dragged wide from 20 yards for the visitors and Simpson made a smart reflex save after the ball had dropped to Alex Gudger in the home box.

The Saints continued to threaten and, after Ndlovu’s header from Ellis Myles’ cross lacked the power to trouble Simpson, Williams levelled on 69 minutes, firing across goal into the bottom corner from 15 yards after finding space through the right channel.

But Parkin had the final say, firing an unstoppable effort into Lewis top-left corner after being fouled 25 yards from goal.