YORK City finally notched their first competitive win at the LNER Community Stadium with a 4-2 National League North victory over Farsley Celtic.

The Minstermen, who scored three in victory at Spennymoor Town earlier this week, were cruising when Clayton Donaldson's penalty put them 4-0 up.

Though much the better side throughout - particularly in their combative midfield - City's advantage was reduced to three shortly after by an excellent Will Hayhurst strike before veteran James Hanson netted following a corner.

Hanson's close-range finish gave the scoreline a closer look than York probably deserved, though the guerilla-like Farsley were not without their chances, and some naivety from City allowed them in.

But most positively, York looked well up for the contest and did not let up in their quick-playing, battling performance.

There were no changes to York City’s starting 11 from their 3-1 win over Spennymoor Town on Bank Holiday Monday, all three goalscorers retaining their place in the attacking three.

Welcome news for York was the return of Josh King to the bench. The young centre-back had been missing since picking up a hefty gash to his leg against Sunderland in pre-season.

That he began the day on the bench meant central midfielder Sam Fielding continued in the heart of the back four alongside skipper for the day Matty Brown. Olly Dyson continued at right-back, his experience edging him above Harrison Hopper in the pecking order.

Celts boss Adam Lakeland kept much the same side that drew 1-1 with Blyth Spartans on Bank Holiday Monday, making just the one changes by bringing in Dave Syers – fresh back from a three-game suspension – for Sam Bird.

Keeper Tom Donaghy, like Bird, is on loan at Farsley from League One outfit Fleetwood Town. He kept his place between the sticks. He kept a clean sheet in the opening-day win at Hereford but has let in four goals since.

City started the more threatening of the sides, their pace of passing through the middles causing problems for Farsley. Early on, Dyson beat Will Hayhurst for speed down the right flank and delivered a lovely ball onto the boot of Clayton Donaldson, who volleyed into the side netting from close in.

Former Minstermen Tyler Walton showed a bit of class going forward, winning a couple of corners for Farsley. The second of those was headed across goal from the back post and cleared by York, who broke excitingly through Dyson, showcasing the pace and winning a corner. It came to nothing.

Pete Jameson was called on again to show his ability from one-on-one situations. Ex-Bradford City stalwart James Hanson was played clean through but the keeper came out and smothered his effort well.

Donaldson had another fine chance teed up for him by Dyson, who turned Hayhurst inside-out before delivering a low ball into the area. Donaldson’s effort high towards the middle of the goal was punched away.

York were not to be denied for long, though, and Kurt Willoughby netted for the second game in a row. From 25 yards out in the 24th minute, he curled a right-footed effort low into the bottom corner.

Akil Wright came inches from scoring a spectacular second. He battled his way past two Farsley men, sliding in on both in quick succession, before splitting the defence by running straight through the middle but his shot from a tight angle was always rising.

York were showing good fight in the middle of the park and when Farsley had a free kick on the edge of the area, McLaughlin barrelled out to meet it and block. Jameson tipped over captain Adam Clayton’s thunderous long-range follow-up.

Home fans had been aggrieved by the number and manner of the free kicks given against them so Adam Barton being shown the game's first yellow card was greeted with extra jeers. McLaughlin flicked a ball past Barton, who raised his leg to prevent the midfielder getting past.

The Minstermen got a slice of luck in added time of the first half. A ball lofted with pace into the Farsley area was caught somewhere between Beck and Syers. The Farsley defender got the last touch on it and lifted it over his own keeper.

Donaldson and Beck were not far away from extending York’s lead within five minutes of the second half starting. The former was played through by a lovely ball by Jaden Charles but slipped in the area after beating his man with a drag-back. Beck, meanwhile, was caught just offside from another good ball from the left. He controlled and, from the bouncing ball, got a saved effort away before the flag went up.

Instead of one of the three strikers, the third goal came from midfielder Michael Woods. After persistent work by Charles in the middle of the park, Donaldson was released down the left to play into the area. His cross was met by the incoming Woods, whose initial effort was blocked but he was able to bury the rebound comfortably, low to Donaghy’s right.

Donaldson added a fourth with 20 minutes to go, coolly dispatching a penalty won when a Charles cross hit substitute Jordan Richards on the arm. The veteran striker sent Donaghy the wrong way and placed his penalty in the bottom-right corner.

York had barely any time to bask in their four-goal lead, though, and out of very little, Hayhurst curled a peach of a dipping left-footed strike over Jameson and in.

The hosts' advantage was further narrowed 10 minutes later by Hanson. Jameson made a good reflex stop to deny a header from a corner but could not keep out Hanson's follow-up.

York: Jameson 8, Dyson 8, Brown 8, Fielding 7, Charles 7, Wright 8, McLaughlin 8, Woods 8, Donaldson 7, Willoughby 7 (Gilchrist 72), Beck 7 (Heaney 7, 59). Subs not used: Campbell, King, Hopper.

Goals: Willoughby (24), Syers (OG, 45+2), Woods (58), Donaldson (pen, 70)

Star man: Michael Woods. The midfield three all shone on Saturday. Woods added a particular attacking edge to York's play.

Farsley: Donaghy, Clayton, Syers, Barton (Longbottom 63), Hayhurst, McKenna (Bird 81), Atkinson, Walton (Richards 63), Parkin, Spencer, Hanson. Subs not used: Ellis, Fialdini.

Goals: Hayhurst (72), Hanson (82)

Yellow cards: Barton, Spencer, Longbottom

Referee: Paul Brown

Attendance: 2,591

Stats for York / Farsley

Shots (on target): 15 (7) / 8 (6)

Corners: 2 / 5

Offsides: 1 / 0

Fouls: 13 / 7

Yellow cards: 0 / 3

Penalties: 1 / 0