YORK City fell behind three times to suffer their first defeat in six games following a 3-2 reverse at Bootham Crescent.

Despite National League North’s 29-goal, leading marksman Glen Taylor being largely well contained by the hosts, centre-backs James Curtis and Scott Harrison grabbed the visitors’ first two goals, either side of an Alex Kempster equaliser.

Both came from a predictable source as Stephen Brogan corners meant the Minstermen had conceded four consecutive goals from set-pieces.

City then hit back from a dead-ball delivery of their own courtesy of Sean Newton’s header, only for Ryan Hall to settle matters on 78 minutes.

The home side made most all the early running but failed to test Spennymoor keeper Matt Gould with a series of good opportunities within the first half-hour of the game.

First, Macaulay Langstaff chased down Jordan Burrow’s fifth-minute headed flick-on, only to drag his 12-yard shot wide of Gould’s left-hand upright.

Shortly afterwards, Kallum Griffiths threaded a perfect pass through the right channel for Langstaff who, on this occasion, rounded Gould, but the away keeper got a glove to his shot and pushed it into the sidenetting.

Newton also blasted a 12-yard half-volley over before Taylor threatened for the first time, but his far-post header from Callum Williams’ right-wing cross was a comfortable height for Ryan Whitley to catch.

Midway through the half, Langstaff was again played in on goal – this time through the left channel – but fired across the face of goal from ten yards.

Griffiths’ cross from the right was then helped on in the air by Jordan Burrow and David Ferguson’s diving header flashed wide.

Just before the half-hour mark, Taylor’s looping header from a Brogan free kick was grabbed from right under his own crossbar by Whitley, while Hall lifted the ball over Newton through the left channel only to half-volley well wide from 15 yards. The improving visitors went on to forge in front on 41 minutes.

Adriano Moke chased back to concede a corner that was swung in from the left by Brogan with Curtis climbing high to power a header into Whitley’s top-right corner.

The half ended moments later after Taylor hit the roof of the Longhurst with a wild 20-yard attempt.

City made a tactical reshuffle at the break, dispensing with the 3-5-2 formation that they had kicked off with in favour of a return to 4-3-3 as Kemspter was introduced for Josh Law and the former Spennymoor loan striker didn’t take long to make his presence felt.

Receiving the ball from Langstaff 20 yards from goal, the City sub took one touch before thundering a 50th-minute half-volley into Gould’s top-right corner.

But the joy was shortlived and, after Rob Ramshaw had been denied at his near post by Whitley and Taylor aimed a weak effort straight at the teenage keeper, Jason Ainsley’s men were back in front on 54 minutes.

Brogan again swung in a left-wing corner that saw Curtis win the first header and, after the home side failed to clear their lines, Harrison crashed a ten-yard shot into the roof of the net.

City were level once more, however, on 66 minutes when Griffiths' deflected effort went out for a corner on the left.

Sub Alex Harris subsequently swung the ball in and Newton outjumped Gould to head into an inviting net.

In response, Jamie Chandler’s low shot was safely gathered by Whitley, but City went quickly up the other end with Lansgtaff steering a 20-yard shot on the turn just wide.

It was the away team, though, that grabbed the decisive next goal.

Ramshaw spun around on the right wing and spotted Hall's run in behind Newton through that channel and the first-half sub beat Whitley with a low angled, ten-yard drive.

The City keeper went on to gather a 25-yard Shane Henry drive at the second attempt whilst, in seven minutes of stoppage time, Newton fired off target from distance and a Kempster header was easily caught by Gould.

City ratings

Ryan Whitley 6

Jasper Moon 6

Josh Law 6

Sean Newton 6

Kallum Griffiths 7

Scott Burgess 6

Adriano Moke 6

Paddy McLaughlin 6

David Ferguson 6

Jordan Burrow 6

Macaulay Langstaff 7

Subs: Alex Kempster 7 (for Law, 46), Alex Harris (for Burgess, 60), Wes York (for Adriano Moke, 90+1). Subs not used: Adam Bartlett, Joe Tait.

Star man: Langstaff – movement caused Spennymoor real problems in the first half, although finishing needed to be better

Spennymoor: Matthew Gould, Callum Williams, James Curtis (Kris Thackray, 71), Scott Harrison, Stephen Brogan, Rob Ramshaw, Jamie Chandler, Shane Henry, Jack Diamond (Lewis Hawkins, 75), Mark Anderson (Ryan Hall, 12), Glen Taylor Subs not used: Chris Elliott, Adam Boyes.

Spennymoor star man: Curtis – talismanic skipper’s display full of desire that led to his injury for blocking a shot

Referee: Dean Watson 8/10 – hard to fault

Booked: None

Sent off: None

Attendance: 2,871 (456 from Spennymoor)

Shots on target: City 3, Spennymoor 9

Shots off target: City 7, Spennymoor 2

Corners: City 5, Spennymoor 4

Fouls conceded: City 5, Spennymoor 6

Offside: City 1, Spennymoor 0