York City 2, Lincoln City 0 (From York Press)

York City 2, Lincoln City 0

10:28am Wednesday 30th November 2011 in Match reports By Dave Flett, Sports reporter

York City extended their unbeaten Blue Square Bet Premier run to ten games after last night’s comfortable 2-0 home win over Lincoln.

Midfielders Danny Pilkington and Paddy McLaughlin netted as City also ended a run of three consecutive draws.

The Minstermen have now not tasted defeat in the league since the 3-2 reverse at Gateshead in September and have only lost one of their last 15 Blue Square Bet Premier fixtures.

City boss Gary Mills made three changes to the side that started Saturday's 1-1 draw at Forest Green Rovers.

Captain Chris Smith was dropped to the bench as David McGurk earned a recall to the side, while Jamie Reed and Pilkington, who both impressed as substitutes at the weekend, were rewarded with starting places.

Lanre Oyebanjo and on-loan signing Moses Ashikodi both made way, while Lincoln included former City midfielder Simon Russell in their side.

The Imps had the first chance of the evening but Conal Platt drove over from eight yards after Kyle Perry had won a far-post header following Jake Sheridan’s right-wing cross.

On four minutes, however, Pilkington opened the scoring for the Minstermen.

The former Stockport winger, playing as a central midfielder in Mills’ favoured 4-3-3 formation, saw his 25-yard strike deflect off visiting defender Richard Hinds and find goalkeeper Paul Farman’s top right-hand corner following a strong forward run by McLaughlin.

Reed then volleyed wide from six yards after a Matty Blair cross before ’keeper Michael Ingham almost joined Pilkington on the scoresheet.

The former Northern Ireland international’s long clearance from his own penalty box took a rapid bounce off the slick Bootham Crescent surface and a concerned Farman was forced to palm over his own crossbar.

On 15 minutes, James Meredith fired across the face of the Lincoln goal from an angle while Russell drove wide from 25 yards at the other end.

Jon Challinor also fired off target with a low left-footed effort after a powerful forward surge and Imps midfielder Sheridan called Ingham into a routine save fron 20 yards before the promising Platt shot wide from a similar distance.

Reed and Blair, meanwhile, failed to trouble Farman with a pair of far-post headers as the half drew to a close.

The hosts started the second half in bright fashion but Ashley Chambers wasted a great 51st-minute opportunity to double the lead when he lashed wide of Farman’s near post when the ball fell to his feet five yards from goal.

Pilkington’s left-wing cross was also dropping under Farman’s crossbar before he clawed the ball away for a corner.

Moments later, McLaughlin drove over with a deflected effort but he was not to be denied in the 56th minute.

Picked out after a determined run at the heart of the Imps defence by Blair, McLaughlin confidently curled into Farman’s bottom right-hand corner from 15 yards.

The Northern Ireland Under-21 international almost claimed a second seven minutes later when he evaded two away challenges in the penalty box before Farman smothered at his feet.

On 75 minutes, Chambers’ attempted chip bounced off the top of the bar after a heavy touch by Pilkington had prevented him from adding to his earlier goal but the hosts never looked in danger as they closed out the game.

match facts

York City 2 (Pilkington 4; McLaughlin 58, Lincoln City 0)

York City: Michael Ingham 8, Jon Challinor 8, David McGurk 8, David McGurk 8, James Meredith 8, Scott Kerr 8, Patrick McLaughlin 9, Danny Pilkington 8, Matty Blair 8, Jamie Reed 8, Jamie Reed 8.

Subs: Moses Ashikodi (for Pilkington 76), Lanre Oyebanjo (for Chambers 87).

Not used: Chris Smith, Daniel Parslow, Adriano Moké.

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: Paddy McLaughlin – positive and classy from the first whistle and deserved his goal.

Lincoln: Paul Farman, Tony Sinclair, Richard Hinds, Josh Gowling, John Nutter, Simon Russell (Francis Laurent 61), Alan Power, Tyrone Thompson, Conal Platt, Jake Sheridan (Nicky Nicolau 81), Kyle Perry (Luke Medley 51).

Subs not used: Joe Anyon, Jean-Francois Christophe.

Booked: Sheridan 34, Hinds 45, Power 53, Gowling 61, Thompson 83, McLaughlin 90.

Sent off: None.

Shots on target: York 7, Lincoln 2.

Shots off target: York 8, Lincoln 7.

Corners: York 9, Lincoln 5.

Fouls conceded: York 10, Lincoln 12.

Offsides: York 2, Lincoln 0.

Referee: Darren Handley (Lancashire).

Attendance: 3,155 (325 from Lincoln).