Kettering Town 0, York City 1

Should Martin Foyle’s men maintain the same form that has seen them collect 31 points from a possible 33, however, then the championship contest could quickly become the biggest one-horse race since Foinavon romped to victory in the 1967 Grand National.

That would, of course, be a tall order, but bookmakers’ odds of 7-1 for City to finish top of the pile suddenly look decidedly generous, even allowing for Oxford’s two games in hand.

After Michael Rankine scored the only goal of the game to see off a Kettering side lying fifth on Saturday morning, a quick scan over City’s remaining league fixtures revealed only five will be against top-ten teams, compared to nine for Stevenage and eight for Oxford.

The Bootham Crescent club’s push for automatic promotion is certainly gathering momentum by the game.

At Rockingham Road, Championship pair West Brom and Doncaster Rovers became the latest in a growing queue to run the rule over top scorer Richard Brodie, who was restored to the starting line-up after serving a two-match suspension.

But, while the 27-goal striker’s contribution this season cannot be underestimated, performances at the other end of the pitch are becoming just as vital.

Against their Northamptonshire hosts, with Brodie largely subdued, the Minstermen racked up a seventh clean sheet in ten Blue Square Premier games with six of those matches ending 1-0.

Bradley Hudson-Odoi’s first-half strike for Histon last Tuesday is also now the only goal that has been shipped in nine hours of football by Michael Ingham.

The visitors only managed two shots – one on target – in 90 minutes at Kettering but claimed a typical three points, courtesy of Rankine’s predatory strike on the quarter-hour mark and a defensive display full of resolve.

Earlier, City had weathered a strong start by the Poppies with James Dance firing over from six yards after his first goalbound effort was blocked by David McGurk.

Hefty home captain Ian Roper then saw Ingham claw a point-blank header out from under his crossbar on four minutes.

It was a save that would have graced any DVD compilation.

Darren Wrack’s free-kick also picked out John Dempster in the City six-yard box but he headed over on eight minutes.

The Minstermen forged ahead, though, following their only corner and attack of the first half.

James Meredith looped the ball back into the box after Chris Carruthers’ flag-kick had been cleared.

City centre-back McGurk then helped the cross on with his head and a stretching Roper’s lack of athleticism was highlighted when his attempted clearance only saw him kick fresh air, gifting Rankine a free shot on the exposed Nathan Abbey’s goal from six yards out.

Rankine made no mistake, firing into the former Luton ’keeper’s bottom right-hand corner to claim his first goal in a dozen matches.

Ingham then saved a rising Dance chance and Marcus Kelly shot narrowly wide from 20 yards after cutting inside Ben Purkiss.

A moribund second half flickered into life on 54 minutes when a senseless 21-man melee was caused by Jordan Hadfield’s late challenge on Alex Lawless.

Ridiculously, the City midfielder was booked just for landing on his assailant, who was also cautioned, but the likes of Abbey, who had raced 50 yards to join in the pushing and shoving, escaped punishment.

Moments later, Rankine was sensibly substituted by Foyle having barged into two home defenders in quick succession and received lectures off referee Richard Wigglesworth, who had taken his name in the first half.

His replacement – Djoumin Sangare – gave another whole-hearted, cameo display in midfield, as City successfully stifled Kettering’s hopes of a comeback.

On 67 minutes, Ingham dived low to his left to save after Anthony Robinson attempted to back heel Kelly’s dangerous cross but City might even have doubled their lead before the final whistle when Purkiss glanced a header wide from Carruthers’ free-kick.

Match facts

Kettering Town 0, York City 1

York City: Michael Ingham 8, Daniel Parslow 8, Luke Graham 9, David McGurk 8, James Meredith 8, Ben Purkiss 7, Levi Mackin 8, Alex Lawless 7, Chris Carruthers 8, Michael Rankine 7, Richard Brodie 7.

Substitutions: Djoumin Sangare 7 (for Rankine, 66), Michael Gash (for Carruthers 87), Neil Barrett (for Lawless 90). Not used: Jamie Clarke, Courtney Pitt.

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

City’s star man: Graham – uncompromising on his return to Kettering.

Kettering: Nathan Abbey, Alton Thelwell, John Dempster, Ian Roper, James Jennings, Darren Wrack (Anthony Robinson, 62), Patrick Noubissie (Andre Boucaud, 63), Jordan Hadfield, Marcus Kelly (Greg Taylor, 78), James Dance, Kwesi Appiah.

Subs not used: Niall Cooper, Danny Thomas.

Bookings: Roper 13, Rankine 34, Jennings 45, Hadfield 53, Lawless 54, Dance 89, Dempster 90.

Shots on target: Kettering 3, City 1.

Shots off target: Kettering 6, City 1.

Corners: Kettering 3, City 2.

Fouls conceded: Kettering 17, City 18.

Offsides: Kettering 4, City 3.

Referee: Richard Wigglesworth (Lancashire) Rating: Lawless booking was daft but got most other decisions right.

Attendance: 1,375 (307 from City).

Save of the match: Ingham’s fourth-minute, one-handed effort provided City with the platform for victory.

Decision of the match: City boss Foyle’s substitution of Rankine who was walking a red card tightrope.

Head to head: Michael Ingham v Nathan Abbey

Home goalkeeper Abbey was a virtual spectator at Rockingham Road and stood little chance with Rankine’s goal. He also had to deal with few crosses into his box.

Ingham, however, distinguished himself with an excellent, early save from Roper and his handling was impeccable.