YORK City left it late to book their place in the first round of the Emirates FA Cup, with Tyler Cordner opening his account in a 1-0 victory over Needham Market.

A goalless draw on Saturday meant that York had to make the long journey down to Suffolk to take on a Needham Market side two division’s below City, with a clash with Chester awaiting the winner in the first round proper.

It took a late winner to extend the Minstermen’s unbeaten run to five, picking up back-to-back clean sheets against a gritty Needham Market side who can be proud of their efforts against Vanarama National League opposition.

Chances for Dipo Akinyemi and Lenell John-Lewis saw Needham Market escape the City strike force, whilst Rory Watson made two crucial stops to keep out Luke Ingram and Tevan Allen.

But a stoppage-time winner saw Cordner volley an effort through a crowd of bodies, sending York into the first round of the FA Cup through a replay against Needham Market.

Ardley opted to make two changes from the City side that were held to a goalless draw against Needham Market on Saturday, with captain Lenell John-Lewis and Olly Dyson being replaced by Quevin Castro and Kai Kennedy, who impressed after coming off of the bench on Saturday.

York appeared to set-up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Scott Burgess playing wide, with Dipo Akinyemi leading the line with the support of Castro behind him.

Needham Market had earned their replay at Bloomfields after a gritty performance at the weekend, and were eager to keep City out from penetrating their defence.

Ardley’s side earned back-to-back corners early on in the contest, but Adam Crookes was unable to turn his effort goalwards after slicing wide of the target.

York maintained their earlier pressure with a huge opportunity for Ryan Fallowfield, who latched onto Dan Batty’s pass before seeing his powerful effort cleared off of the line by Jake Dye.

Castro looked to prompt an opening for the visitors, but again his long-ranged strike was dragged well wide of Marcus Garnham’s goal.

Needham did look to generate an upset, but Rory Watson was equal to Luke Ingram after the home side’s striker snuck in behind the Minstermen’s defence.

Cordner was looking for his first goal in City colours, but was unable to direct Batty’s corner on target and instead saw his headed effort rise over the stand.

Needham thought they had taken a shock lead after Ingram fed Jamie McGrath in behind, but the linesman’s flag ruled out an opener despite McGrath rounding Watson and tucking the ball home.

Akinyemi has been an ever-present for the Minstermen this season, but failed to hit the target after volleying wide of the target from the edge of the box.

The City striker is also set to miss Saturday’s trip to Eastleigh, after picking up his fifth booking of the season in the replay.

But with York unable to capitalise on their pressure, the two sides headed into the break level.

Heading into the second half, Batty looked to put City ahead with an effort from the edge of the box, but appeared to lose his footing and could only slice a strike wide.

There was further frustrations for the Minstermen, with Akinyemi working hard to find Castro unmarked in the box, but the midfielder appeared to hesitate before seeing his close-ranged strike bravely blocked by a crowd of Needham Market defenders.

Watson was called into action again to keep out a goalbound effort from Ingram, palming the Needham’s striker’s shot wide of the target.

Again Watson was needed, tipping Allen’s low strike at the near post around the target.

City began to mount the pressure again with just over ten minutes remaining, with Akinyemi showing some tricky footwork to sit down his Needham marker, before blasting an effort agonisingly over Garnham’s goal.

John-Lewis was introduced for Castro in the second-half and looked to have an impact on the outcome of the match, expertly shooting on the turn and appearing to beat Garnham, only to see his effort rattle the post before being smothered by the host’s shot-stopper.

But with extra-time and penalties on the horizon and City desperately wanting to avoid any more unneeded football in already hectic season, Ardley’s side took the lead with seconds to spare.

With a looping corner from Batty being poorly cleared by the Needham Market defence, the loose ball fell to Cordner in space, who volleyed a first-time effort through a crowd of bodies to book York’s place in the first round proper of the FA Cup.

The Minstermen will now travel to Eastleigh on Saturday, October 21 (3pm) as Ardley’s side return to Vanarama National League action.

Needham Market: Garnham, Dye, K. Morphew, D. Morphew, Smith, Hammond, Williams, McGrath (Page, 65), Allen, Lay, Ingram

Subs not used: Fraser, Podd, Chambers, Letts, Harris, Crosthwaite

York City: Watson 7, Fallowfield 6, Cordner 8, Smith 6, Crookes 6, Woodyard 6, Batty 6, Burgess 5 (Siziba 6, 58), Castro 5 (John-Lewis 6, 58), Kennedy 6, Akinyemi 6 (Howe, 90+3)

Subs not used: Whitley, McLaughlin, Dyson, Hancox

Goals: Cordner (90+2)

Yellow cards: Akinyemi (39)

York’s star man: Tyler Cordner. A comfortable performance from the defender who worked hard to keep Needham Market out, and opened his account with a crucial late winner.

Attendance: N/A

Referee: Wayne Cartmel

Shots off (on target): 3 (3) | 8 (3)

Corners: 5 | 6

Offsides: 0 | 0

Fouls committed: 7 | 8