ALEX Lawless’ first goal in York City colours saw the Bootham Crescent club extend their unbeaten home record to a 16th game after a 1-0 home win over Gateshead.

The Minstermen cemented their place in the Blue Square Premier’s top three thanks to Lawless’ 24th-minute header despite looking jaded for long periods of the second half.

A third consecutive clean sheet, though, ensured victory over the lowly part-timers.

Earlier, Michael Gash, making his first start since October 3 as a replacement for the suspended Richard Brodie, enjoyed an excellent first touch to the match and an even better second one to send striking partner Michael Rankine sprinting down the wing.

Rankine tormented a back-pedalling Phil Cave before thudding an angled effort against the foot of visiting goalkeeper Paul Farman’s near post.

Heed defender Chris Swailes then blocked Gash’s follow-up effort in a frantic opening 41 seconds.

Moments later, Rankine reached a Chris Carruthers through ball ahead of a clearly-intimidated Farman.

Covering defender Cave, though, cleared Rankine’s goalbound attempt.

Following a couple of hopeful, off-target strikes from distance by Gateshead pair Andy Haworth and Peter Winn, City regained their early dominance with Lawless prodding wide and Andy Ferrell shooting over after a flowing move involving Daniel Parslow, Carruthers and Rankine.

Levi Mackin also cleared the crossbar from long range before City broke the deadlock on 24 minutes.

A typical, dangerously-delivered corner by Carruthers was headed towards goal by Gash and Lawless, one yard out, glanced in at the far post.

City ’keeper Michael Ingham was called on to make his first save of the night on the half-hour mark when he grabbed Craig Baxter’s cross from under his crossbar.

Haworth then bent a 25-yard free kick inches wide but Rankine ended the half with a stinging long-range drive that Farman beat away to danger.

City struggled for the same tempo during a sluggish start to the second half.

Haworth drove wide for the visitors from 25 yards, as did Barrett at the other end but that only offered brief respite for the Minstermen.

Former City midfielder Phil Turnbull lifted a 30-yard chance out of the ground on 58 minutes but Daryl Clare went closer shortly afterwards with a stooping header.

Armand One also hit the roof of the David Longhurst Stand before City survived a major scare.

Veteran centre-back Swailes first saw his downward header from Winn’s corner cleared off the line by James Meredith and then blazed over from three yards after the ball fell back to him.

Substitute Adam Smith, introduced just past the hour to liven up City, forced Farman into his first save of the second period from 30 yards on 77 minutes.

Carruthers also sidefooted over after seeing his initial goalbound attempt blocked by Swailes and Martin Foyle’s men held out for a fitth straight win.

Match facts

York City 1 (Lawless, 24)

Gateshead 0

Player performance key: 10 – Faultless; 9 – Outstanding; 8 – Excellent; 7 – Good; 6 – Average; 5 – Below par; 4 – Poor; 3 – Dud; 2 – Hopeless; 1 – Retire

Michael Ingham 7
Daniel Parslow 8
David McGurk 8
Luke Graham 7
James Meredith 7
Levi Mackin 7
Alex Lawless 7
Neil Barrett 7
Chris Carruthers 8
Michael Rankine 8
Michael Gash 7
Substitutions:

Adam Smith for (Lawless 62)..6
Kevin Gall for (Gash 78)
Andy Ferrell for (Barrett 83)
Not used: Mimms, Berry.

City’s star man: David McGurk – unflappable again.

Gateshead: Paul Farman, Craig Baxter, Darren Williams, Chris Swailes, Phil Cave, Andy Hayworth (Wayne Phillips 72), Phil Turnbull, Armand One (Michael Mackay 82), Kris Gate, Peter Winn (Alex Francis 87), Daryl Clare. Subs (not used): Jim Provett, Stephane Pelonde.

Booked: Ferrell 86.

Referee: Jake Collin (Liverpool).

Attendance: 2,302 (140 from Gateshead).

Shots on target: City 7, Heed 5
Shots off target: City 8, Heed 11
Corners: City 5, Heed 4
Fouls conceded: City 7, Heed 8
Offsides: City 2, Heed 4