TWO late goals helped York City shatter Southport and break into the top half of the Blue Square Bet Premier table.

Against negative opponents who time-wasted at every opportunity, the Minstermen looked like they had toiled in vain against the doggedly defensive Merseysiders.

But Leon Constantine’s penalty four minutes from time, coolly slotted into the bottom left corner, and David McDermott’s cool finish ensured York posted three successive wins for the first time since April.

Despite that magnificent 4-0 demolition of Rushden & Diamonds at the weekend, City manager Gary Mills still made changes to his side.

Djoumin Sangare and McDermott dropped to the substitutes’ bench as Peter Till entered the fray and Robbie Weir took over the anchor role in front of the back four.

David McGurk, who in The Press pleaded to be allowed to join Luton Town having handed in a transfer request, remained at the centre of City’s defence but it was his partner, Chris Smith, who could have given the Minstermen the lead after just four minutes.

Jonathan Smith’s shot was deflected behind for a corner and Danny Racchi’s set-piece caused havoc – whizzing through several bodies before Southport goalkeeper Steve Dickinson’s punch fell in the direction of the City centre-back.

He couldn’t get enough contact to force the ball into the net at the far post.

Racchi, who scored a fantastic free-kick at Rushden, then tried to repeat the trick six minutes later but only found Dickinson’s grateful arms.

Southport were in all kinds of trouble from set-pieces, another Racchi delivery again meeting Chris Smith, unmarked, in the middle of the box – this time his header deflecting wide.

It took City 20 minutes to get into gear but they then began to display the kind of pass and move football that has been a feature of Mills’ stewardship so far.

Ashley Chambers put in Till, following a series of passes which involved half a dozen players, but he was judged offside before, on 25 minutes, they carved Southport open.

Till played a one-two with Michael Rankine and Jonathan Smith’s pass found the advancing midfielder on the right-hand side of the box.

He hit a fierce drive which had Dickinson stranded, but the ball cannoned back off the top of a post.

More than half an hour had elapsed before Southport had a shot of any description, and goalkeeper Michael Ingham had to be watchful as Alan Moogan’s stinging drive sped goalwards.

But the best chance of the half came on 35 minutes when the in-form Rankine really should have put the Minstermen ahead.

Rob Marsh-Evans’ botched clearance left the striker clean through on goal, albeit with 40 yards still to run.

He sprinted towards the area and unleashed a firm shot, which the advancing Dickinson got down well to parry at point-blank range. The ’keeper then got up smartly to turn Ashley Chambers’ follow-up drive round a post.

Still the chances kept coming, but still City could not break the deadlock. Jonathan Smith weaved round the Southport defence on the edge of the box but fired his shot wide of the left-hand post.

The pressure continued after the break as Weir bent a shot wide of the far post on 53 minutes and Racchi failed to hit the target after Till stood a lovely cross to the back stick.

Mills brought on McDermott on the hour in a bid to add even more creativity but, with Southport defending in ever increasing numbers, City toiled in attack.

The Merseysiders even had their chance to snatch a lead, McDermott clearing off the line on 72 minutes following a snap shot from 12 yards.

Their night of irritation looked complete when Rankine mis-kicked after being found at the near post by McDermott.

But Weir’s shot five minutes from time, was judged to have hit the arm of Kevin Lee and Constantine slotted the resulting penalty into the bottom corner to ease all tensions.

McDermott then obliterated any remaining concerns when coolly slotting home first time from six yards as time wound down to give York the three points they had always deserved.


Match report

York City 2 (Constantine pen 86, McDermott 90), Southport 0

York City: Michael Ingham 7, Daniel Parslow 7, David McGurk 7, Chris Smith 7, James Meredith 7, Jonathan Smith 7, Robbie Weir 7, Danny Racchi 7, Peter Till 8, Ashley Chambers 7, Michael Rankine 7.

Substitutions: David McDermott (for J Smith 60, 8); Leon Constantine (for Rankine, 80); Jamal Fyfield (for Till 80) Djoumin Sangare, Neil Barrett.

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: Peter Till – unlucky not to cap an industrious performance with a goal.

Southport: Steve Dickinson, Kevin Lee, Rob Marsh-Evans, Earl Davis, Chris Lever (Adam Flynn 8), Chris Simm, Liam Blakeman (Danny Lloyd-McGoldrick 88), Alan Moogan, Paul Barratt, Steve Daly, Tony Gray.

Subs: (not used) Tony McMillan, Michael Powell, Dominic Morley.

Yellow cards: C Smith 40, Simm 45.

Red cards: None.

Shots on target: City 10, Southport 2.

Shots off target: City 5, Southport 1.

Corners: City 9, Southport 4.

Fouls conceded: City 16, Southport 10.

Offsides: City 1, Southport 2.

Referee: Referee: Mark Heywood (Northwich).

Attendance: 2,104 (66 from Southport).