JAMIE REED’S stunning volley ensured York City continue to harbour Blue Square Premier Bet play-off hopes.

The former Bangor forward’s sweet strike, smashed into the top corner three minutes into the second half, gave the Minstermen a priceless 1-0 victory over Fleetwood Town.

Lifting City up the table to ninth, it also reduced the gap between the two clubs to seven points – with City holding three games in hand.

Following a very lacklustre first half, York City boss Gary Mills looked a genius after his double substitution at the start of the second period – bringing on both Reed and Andre Boucaud – had such an early impact.

Mills made two changes from the side which lost 1-0 at AFC Wimbledon last Saturday, Liam Darville replacing Daniel Parslow at right-back and Chris Carruthers coming into the midfield as Neil Barrett dropped to the bench.

Having acknowledged a win would give his side a “massive boost” as they chased their play-off place holding opponents, Mills must have been disappointed watching a dull first-half display in the drizzle.

They were actually quickly on the attack – Peter Till firing just past the post from 20 yards in the second minute.

But this was not the start of a cavalry charge.

Carruthers’ header over the bar, from Darville’s right-wing cross, was the Minstermen’s only other opportunity in the first 45 minutes.

They did not have a shot on target.

Clumsy and wasteful in possession, their propensity to give the ball away allowed Fleetwood to gain a firm foothold as the half wore on.

Although hardly ambitious themselves, the visitors were the only team that looked likely to break the deadlock.

Michael Ingham did well to tip George Donnelly’s fierce 25-yard drive round the post on 25 minutes and, from the resulting corner, Will Haining’s firm header was knocked behind.

In contrast, Michael Rankine was isolated up front as former Leeds and West Brom centre-half Sean Gregan led an experienced back four, also including former Aston Villa left-back Alan Wright, and negated the Minstermen’s weak attacking threat.

A dissatisfied Mills made his double substitution at the start of the second half to try to inject some life into his team.

Boucaud came on for Carruthers and Reed replaced Jonathan Smith as the Minstermen stayed with the 4-4-2 formation to which they switched 15 minutes from half-time. It yielded instant second-half dividends.

Rankine menaced in the centre of the penalty area from Till’s cross and his challenge, partially cleared, came out to the edge of the box.

Darville headed back in to the waiting Reed on the left and the striker hit a stunning volley – turning and smacking fiercely into the top right corner.

Immediately it seemed to release the shackles from the hosts.

Ashley Chambers, virtually anonymous during the first period, was unlucky not to add to City’s tally with a shot just wide from the right edge of the penalty area and, shortly after the hour mark, Reed tested Davies with a well-struck shot following Ingham’s long clearance downfield.

City, at last, were fluent. Till released Meredith into the penalty area and Davies was forced to parry his shot away on 64 minutes before the Minstermen again threatened as both Rankine and Chambers shot wide.

There was still the odd warning sign, Donnelly striking over the bar after Ingham punched away an Anthony Barry corner with 20 minutes remaining, as City began to drift deeper as time wound down.

Ingham was also stout when dealing with Magno Vieira’s header, which came straight at him, but Reed again forced Davies into a good stop from 25 yards with a few minutes remaining.

And it was his goal, a strike fitting to win any match, which re-ignited York’s slender play-off hopes.


Match facts

York City 1 (Reed 46), Fleetwood Town 0

York City: Michael Ingham 7, Liam Darville 7, David McGurk 7, Chris Smith 7, James Meredith 7, Jonathan Smith 6, Scott Kerr 7, Chris Carruthers 6, Ashley Chambers 6, Michael Rankine 6, Peter Till 7.

Subs: Andrew Boucaud (for Carruthers 46, 6), Jamie Reed (for J Smith 46, 8), Leon Constantine (for Rankine 75). Subs not used: Neil Barrett, Daniel Parslow.

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: Jamie Reed – brilliant goal worthy of a precious three points.

Fleetwood Town: Fleetwood: Scott Davies, Shaun Beeley, Will Haining, Sean Gregan, Alan Wright, Jamie Mullan (Lee Thorpe 60), Jamie McGuire, Anthony Barry (Danny Rowe 85), Sean Clancy (Jamie Milligan 78), George Donnelly, Magno Vieira. Subs (not used: Danny Hurst, Nathan Pond.

Booked: Wright 42, Boucaud 49, Haining 87.

Sent off: None.

Referee: Tony Harrington (Hartlepool).

Attendance: 2,220 (76 from Fleetwood).

Shots on target: York 4, Fleetwood 4.

Shots off target: York 6, Fleetwood 3.

Corners: York 5, Fleetwood 5.

Fouls conceded: York 11, Fleetwood 11.

Offsides: York 3, Fleetwood 1.