FOR a club that has seemingly been going around in circles for so long, York City’s win at the New Windmill Ground, which ended a run of three consecutive 2-2 draws against Leamington, offered further evidence that new chief Steve Watson continues to address deep-seated problems.

The triumph represented a first-ever victory over the Warwickshire minnows and, even though the visitors came under the same level of pressure that had seen them surrender leads in the latter stages of each of those previous contests, City demonstrated a new-found nerve to hold on to their three points.

It was another psychological hurdle cleared under Watson who, in just eight games at the helm, has also managed to rattle off three straight away wins with a side that had only mustered two league triumphs on the road during an entire year prior to his arrival.

The Minstermen’s first back-to-back successes since January 2018 have now stretched to four victories on the spin, meanwhile, which even prompted light-hearted chants of “We Are Going Up” from the travelling faithful, who were enjoying watching their team triumph for a fifth successive Saturday – the longest sequence since Gary Mills’ double-Wembley winners went six straight weekends unblemished in 2011.

All in all, impressive stats for a manager who does not intend to let such momentum dissipate.

Prior to this contest, late goals had been a feature during Watson’s seven-week tenure, with two-third of goals scored in the second half and just under half netted from the 83rd minute onwards.

But, with a strong wind behind them after changing ends, City grabbed the only goal of the game on 11 minutes when Alex Kempster pounced from a yard after Tony Breeden could not hold on to Hamza Bencherif’s close-range effort following a low cross from the right by Wes York.

At the other end, Adam Bartlett was unduly extended by on-target Jordan Murphy and Jamie Hood attempts.

Bencherif, meanwhile, headed over at the far post from an Adriano Moke left-wing delivery and Bartlett did well to tip over Dan Sweeney’s cross that got caught up in the wind and threatened to drop under his crossbar.

Midway through the half, Kempster then drifted in from the left, but Breeden dealt with his 25-yard rising shot Midfielders Scott Burgess and Paddy McLaughlin also combined well to tee up a 15-yard opportunity for the City marksman, who aimed tamely at the home skipper.

Breeden subsequently did well to gather a firm 25-yard drive by David Ferguson, while Jordan Burrow headed wide of the near post from Burgess’ corner in first-half stoppage time.

The second half was a much more uncomfortable experience for the away team after Kallum Griffiths had drilled wide from distance just after the restart.

Seconds later, Junior English’s long throw led to a near-post Jack Edwards header that Bartlett pushed around his upright.

Hood also lifted a 15-yard chance over following a low Murphy corner and City went on to survive an almighty 52nd-minute scare.

A rudimentary forward header by Edwards saw Murphy charge clear on goal following Ferguson’s misjudgement, but the Brakes winger blazed over with only Bartlett to beat.

After McLaughlin had aimed too high from 15 yards when Sean Newton’s smacked a free kick into the Leamington wall, City received another let-off on the hour mark.

Committing perhaps his only defensive lapse of the game, Newton allowed Hood to escape his attentions, but the hosts’ centre back somehow cleared the bar from five yards with a free header.

The Minstermen’s last shot of the afternoon then saw McLaughlin miss the target again from just inside the penalty area after good approach work by Burgess and Kempster on 77 minutes, with visiting resolve coming under close scrutiny during the latter stages.

But Murphy’s far-post header after Colby Bishop’s left-wing cross was collected by Bartlett, who then repelled another aerial attempt from the latter following sub Ahmed Obeng’s centre.

A long-range Murphy drive was also confidently gathered by the City keeper, while Reece Flanagan curled the afternoon’s final effort over from a 20-yard free kick.

City ratings

Adam Bartlett 7

Kallum Griffiths 8

Hamza Bencherif 8

Sean Newton 8

David Ferguson 7

Adriano Moke 7

Scott Burgess 8

Paddy McLaughlin 7

Wes York 7

Jordan Burrow 7

Alex Kempster 8

Subs: Josh Law 7 - steady (for York, 66).

Subs not used: Ryan Whitley, Nathan Dyer, Alex Harris, Jon Parkin.

Star man: Newton - made a couple of vital penalty-box interceptions and won strong share of aerial contests

Leamington: Tony Breeden, Junior English, Jamie Hood, James Mace, Connor Gudger (Connor Taylor, 82), Joe Clarke, Sam Wilding (Reece Flanagan, 73), Dan Sweeney (Ahmed Obeng, 50), Jack Edwards, Jordan Murphy, Colby Bishop. Subs not used: Jack Lane, Ben Newey.

Leamington star man: Mace – rarely caught out of position and defended sensibly with determination

Referee: Michael Barlow 8/10 – hard to find fault with many decisions

Booked: Gudger 33, Bencherif 42, Murphy 80

Sent off: None

Attendance: 801

Shots on target: Leamington 7, City 6

Shots off target: Leamington 5, City 8

Corners: Leamington 6, City 5

Fouls conceded: Leamington 14, City 9

Offside: Leamington 3, City 3