York City shrugged off the bite of reality to record a comfortable victory over a determined North Ferriby United.

After successive defeats to Premiership opposition, it was role reversal for the Minstermen - a potentially highly-prized scalp for their UniBond League opposition.

A nervy opening and some heat-fuelled laxidasical moments in the second-half aside, there was never any real danger of the City leaving bathed in sun Church Road red-faced.

In the first-half especially, City were particularly dominant and enjoyed good possession although it was United who almost took an early lead after just three minutes.

Simon Wood received a short free-kick before unleashing a rising drive that seemed destined for the top corner until Alan Fettis stuck out a hand to push the ball on to the bar.

It was a great save by the City keeper but there was more to come, reacting quickly to parry Ivan Finch's follow up before finally grabbing the ball at the third attempt at the midfielder's feet.

The rattling of the cross bar served as a wake-up call to City after and gradually the Minstermen established their superiority.

As the half progressed, City always looked half-a-yard quicker, that bit more direct.

Steve Agnew continued his promising run of form by switching the play at the earliest opportunity, wing-backs Darren Edmondson and Graham Potter were always available, and Barry Conlon a willing target for the cross to the far post.

At the back, Peter Swan was his usual unflappable self while Mark Sertori, playing in his more familiar defensive role, seemed to relish his battle with Ferriby's number nine, Darren France.

City's gameplan was clear - to hit the flanks and pepper the Ferriby box with crosses at the earliest opportunity. It worked to an extent but the quality of the final ball was lacking and genuine openings were few and far between.

The best chance came on 38 minutes when a quickly taken free-kick from Agnew released Edmondson into space. His cross found Duffield unmarked, eight yards out and with the goal at his mercy.

Unfortunately, the former Darlington man could only head the ball over the bar.

Minutes later and a grateful Duffield was able to make swift amends.

Goalkeeper Paul Sharp failed to control Dave Blanchard's back pass and Duffield seized on the loose ball to lift it over the keeper and pass it into an empty net for his third goal of a productive pre-season.

Worse was to follow for Ferriby when on the stroke of half-time a luckless Finch could only direct Potter's near post cross - his best of the opening 45 minutes -past Sharp to give City a comfortable two goal lead.

After the break, City continued to pose the more concerted threat but sloppiness crept into the red ranks to give Ferriby, who had rung the changes at half-time and looked fresher, hope of salvaging more than their pride.

Sharp made amends for his first-half gaffe to deny Duffield with a sharp one-handed save before Barry Conlon shaved the crossbar with a fierce drive after a string of passes worked the ball to the edge of the United area.

Substitute David McNiven was unlucky to see Sharp tip away a fine drive heading for the top corner before then denying him his third goal of pre-season with a block with his legs.

The half ended as the first had begun; the City keeper, this time substitute Russ Howarth, ensuring a blank return for the Minstermen with a superb save to deny Kevin Walton's point blank header.

York City Match Facts

North Ferriby United 0, York City 2

York City: Alan Fettis (Russ Howarth 46mins), Darren Edmondson, Graham Potter, Peter Swan, Matt Hocking, Mark Sertori, Kevin Hulme (Lee Bullock 74mins), Steve Agnew (Marc Thompson 84mins), Barry Conlon, Peter Duffield (David McNiven 65mins), Christian Fox.

Subs, not used: Wayne Hall

Goals: Duffield 41mins, Finch (og) 45mins

North Ferriby United: Paul Sharp, Adam Lowthorpe, Dave Blanchard, Steve Fisher, Mick Trotter, Ivan Finch (Darren Phillips 46mins), Mark Barrass (Mike Smith 46mins), Simon Wood (Graham Botham 63mins), Darren Wood, Mike Blythe (Andy Flounders 63mins), Kevin Walton

Subs, not used: Matt Harvey

Attendance: 237

Referee: Terry Hart (Hull)

PICTURE: CLOSE SHAVE: Barry Conlonb (left) narowly missed getting on the scoresheet for York City in their 2-0 win over North Ferriby