York City 3, Aldershot 2

The Minstermen's last three Sunday home outings have ended in disappointing 2-0 defeats, but Billy McEwan's men failed to recognise that the final day of the week should be one of rest with an energetic and whole-hearted display against Aldershot.

City also played some scintillating football at times despite a fastly-deteriorating pitch which, in its current condition, would provide a more suitable arena for mud-wrestling.

The final margin of victory flattered an Aldershot side who, for long periods, were overwhelmed by the passing and movement of the hosts.

City, nevertheless, provided their supporters with an almost customary nervous final ten minutes after conceding a late goal when appearing to be firmly in the ascendancy.

The Minstermen also handed their visitors a one-goal start courtesy of some sloppy defending but goals by Mark Convery, Andy Bishop and Clayton Donaldson meant a deserved 3-1 advantage had been achieved by the 52nd minute.

And, had Emmanuel Panther and Donaldson converted simple first half opportunities, the scoreline would have given a more accurate representation of the home team's dominance.

Neil Bishop made an impressive debut for City, offering much-needed assistance to Panther in the middle of the park and adding a presence which enabled McEwan to switch confidently to a 4-4-2 formation.

In attack, Andy Bishop and Donaldson were used as orthodox striking partners and demonstrated why they are possibly the most-feared front two in the Conference, while David McGurk's recall added an assurance to the back line that was missing during the 2-0 defeat at Woking in City's last outing, although both conceded goals could have been avoided.

The Minstermen fell behind on 16 minutes when impressive winger Ryan Williams cut in from the left and Jonny Dixon reacted quickest to head his miscued shot past Chris Porter.

Seconds later, Panther wasted an excellent opportunity to level the scores, lifting his sidefooted effort over the bar after Andy Bishop had waded through the sludge and pulled the ball back invitingly from the by-line.

Undeterred, City continued to drive forward and an opportunist overhead kick by Donaldson forced Nikki Bull into a save on 25 minutes.

Donaldson then released Andy Bishop moments later but his penalty-box belly flop into the mud, under pressure from Gary Holloway, proved too theatrical for referee Mark Haywood.

City's persistence paid off, though, on 33 minutes when Dunning's lofted pass found Donaldson on the left.

Donaldson then picked out Convery on the edge of the box and the 24-year-old midfielder netted his sixth goal of the season with a perfectly-struck, left-footed shot that found Bull's bottom right-hand corner.

Three minutes later, Donaldson raced clear of the Shots defence after an Andy Bishop pass, but the former Hull striker had the ball grabbed off his toes by Bull as he elected to round the visiting 'keeper.

City started the second period in identical fashion but were assisted by some woeful defending from half-time substitute Gary Elphick, who replaced an John Brough.

First, Neil Bishop fed Convery on the right andElphick failed to clear his low 49th-minute cross to the far post, leaving Andy Bishop to beat team-mate Dunning in a race for the loose ball and force City in front from close range.

Three minutes later, a harassed and hapless Elphick could not control Porter's punt upfield, releasing Donaldson, who squeezed a low shot under Bull's body.

A low drive by Dunning tested Bull again on 66 minutes and then the midfielder was called into action at the other end as he cleared a Dixon effort off the line.

An unmarked Andy Bishop headed over from Convery's cross on 71 minutes.

Ten minutes later, City were left vulnerable to a counter-attack when a corner broke down and Aldershot pair Leroy Griffiths and Williams broke upfield with just two City defenders for company.

A crude Darren Craddock challenge on Williams offered only brief respite for City as the former Bristol Rovers midfielder curled the subsequent 20-yard free-kick into Porter's top right-hand corner.

City fans then breathed a sigh of relief when Williams got the opportunity to score a replica of his earlier goal but this time curled his shot over Porter's crossbar.

Match facts

York City 3, (Convery 33, Andy Bishop 49, Donaldson 52)

Aldershot 2, (Dixon 16, Williams 82)

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

Porter 7

Craddock 7

Dudgeon 7

McGurk 8

Peat 8

Convery 8

N Bishop 8 (Stewart, 77)

Panther 7

Dunning 8

A Bishop 7

Donaldson 8

Subs (not used): Reid, Merris, O'Neill, Hotte.

Star man: McGurk - assured return in difficult conditions for defenders.

Aldershot: Nikki Bull, Matt Somner, Greg Heald, John Brough (Gary Elphick, 46), Lewis Hamilton, Nick Crittenden, Gary Holloway, Steve Watson (Ryan Scott, 70), Ryan Williams, Leroy Griffiths, Jonny Dixon. Subs not used: Tobi Jinadu, Hassan Sulaiman, Dan Weait.

Yellow cards: Convery 11, Holloway 27, Somner 59.

Referee: Mick Haywood (Wakefield). Rating: Appeared to favour City and made several mistakes.

Attendance: 2,401.

Weather watch: Dry and mild, but earlier rain made ground very heavy.

Game breaker: City's third goal, coming so quickly after the second.

Match rating: Very entertaining. Great credit to City for proving football can be played on a mud heap pitch.

McEwan's verdict: "We created a lot of good situations in the final third and were not clinical enough or the 'keeper did well, but I knew if we kept going we would score a few goals."

Player watch: Neil Bishop

Shots on target: 0

Shots off target: 0

Blocked shots: 0

Passes to own player: 22

Passes to opposition: 3

Crosses to own player: 1

Crosses to opposition: 0

Pass success rate: 88.5 per cent

Dribbles ball retained: 3

Dribbles ball lost: 2. Dribble success rate: 60 per cent

Headers: 8 Tackles: 6

Clearances, blocks and interceptions: 2 Offsides: 0

Yellow cards: 0

Final summary: Neil Bishop made an impressive debut for City before being replaced on 77 minutes. His distribution was excellent throughout and he only hit three stray passes all afternoon. Bishop also made six tackles but, despite an aggressive reputation, was disciplined and was awarded three free-kicks while not conceding any.

Updated: 11:51 Monday, February 13, 2006