York City 2, Stafford Rangers 0

In fact, the welcome win, coming three days after the humiliating 4-1 defeat at Histon, represented the first time Billy McEwan's men have conceded less than two goals in a home game during 2007/8.

Seventeen goals had been shipped in seven matches in front of their own fans before Stafford's visit, but the club's lowest crowd for more than three years witnessed an overdue shut-out even if it was against a side who, at this stage, look strong contenders for the drop to Conference North and posed little attacking threat.

The result still restored some pride after Saturday's debacle and the match started like most at KitKat Crescent this season, regardless of the opposition, with the Minstermen playing attractive, attacking football and creating a host of chances in the early stages.

Stafford, though, showed determined resistance until Stuart Elliott broke the deadlock on 36 minutes with a net-busting free-kick.

On-loan Australian striker Daniel McBreen then opened his City account and secured maximum points three minutes later with a far-post header from Martyn Woolford's cross.

City's first on-target effort of the night had come just 17 seconds into the game with a skimming 25-yard Mark Robinson strike that was safely gathered by Scott Loach.

A Robinson cross on six minutes was then met by McBreen, but his perfectly-timed volley finished narrowly wide.

Moments later, Onome Sodje's shot on the turn after a quickly-taken Elliott free-kick was deflected wide and the teenage striker forced Loach into a diving save to keep out a sidefooted attempt from 15 yards on ten minutes after being teed up by McBreen's cushioned header.

Martyn Woolford's low 20-yard drive was then saved by the busy Loach at his near post and McBreen's downward header from a corner was cleared off the line by Chris Flynn before City made the belated breakthrough.

Sodje was tugged back on the edge of the box by Stafford skipper Fred Murray and Elliott stepped up to blast an unstoppable free-kick into the roof of the net.

Four minutes later, the Minstermen doubled their lead when Sodje showed dogged persistence in his own half before feeding the ball to Woolford.

The winger then rode a sliding challenge by Stafford veteran David Oldfield before crossing to the far post, where McBreen was waiting to head into the opposite corner of the net.

Stafford had failed to threaten Tom Evans' goal up to that point but Tom Youngs headed over the City 'keeper and wide on 41 minutes, and Sebastian Arnolin was also off target from 25 yards on the stroke of half-time.

Woolford struck the base of a post from 20 yards early in the second half, while Stafford managed their first on-target goal attempt after 72 minutes when Sebastian Arnolin cut in from the left and forced Evans into a diving save.

Shortly afterwards, City skipper Manny Panther, whose shooting was otherwise wayward all evening, narrowly missed the top corner from 20 yards.

McBreen and substitute Richard Brodie went close from long range in the latter stages as the Minstermen suffered few scares on their way to all three points.

Match facts

York City 2 (Elliott 36, McBreen 39)

Stafford Rangers 0

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

Tom Evans 7, Darren Craddock 7, David McGurk 7, Darren Kelly 7, Mark Robinson 7, Paul Brayson 7, Stuart Elliott 8, Manny Panther 7, Martyn Woolford 8, Daniel McBreen 8, Onome Sodje 7

Substitutions:

Richard Brodie (for Sodje, 64) 6 Alex Meechan (for McBreen, 89)

Subs not used: Josh Mimms, Ben Purkiss, Nicky Wroe.

Stafford Rangers: Scott Loach, Richard Sutton, Cedric Avinel (Jemiah Richards, 89), Fred Murray, Sebastian Arnolin (Seb Hamilton, 84), David Oldfield, Chris Flynn, Ross Draper, Tom Youngs, Neil Grayson, Marco Adaggio. Subs not used: Danny Alcock, Steve Hopkinson, Phil Robinson.

Yellow cards: Murray 35, Draper 70, McGurk 79, Elliott 86.

Red cards: None.

Referee: Lee Metcalfe (Lancashire).

Rating: used the advantage rule sensibly and was generally competent.

Attendance: 1,784.

Game breaker: The second goal eased City's anxiety.

Shot of the match: Elliott's thunderous free kick that opened the scoring.

Pass of the match: An excellent Elliott through ball that sent Brayson clear late on.

Cross of the match: Woolford finding McBreen for City's second goal.

City player watch: Striker Daniel McBreen

Goal attempts on target: 2

Goal attempts off target: 4

Blocked goal attempts: 2

Passes to own player: 20

Passes to opposition: 6

Crosses to own player: 0

Crosses to opposition: 1

Pass success rate: 74.1 per cent

Dribbles ball retained: 3

Dribbles ball lost: 5

Dribble success rate: 37.5 per cent

Headers: 15 Tackles: 6

Clearances, blocks and interceptions: 1

Free-kicks won: 2

Free-kicks conceded: 2

Offsides: 1

Bookings: 0

Shots on target: York 8, Stafford 2

Shots off target: York 10, Stafford 5

Corners: York 9, Stafford 4

Fouls conceded: York 12, Stafford 18

Offsides: York 1, Stafford 4

Final summary: Daniel McBreen proved a handful for Stafford all evening and, aside from his 39th-minute far post header, also managed seven other attempts at Scott Loach's goal. The Australian striker won his fair share of headers and tackles, and was awarded as many free-kicks as he conceded. He will also retain possession better as his fitness levels improve.