IN the past week, York City have won one and lost one against National League North rivals, beating Chester before being defeated at Boston United.

The 1-0 win over Chester on Saturday edged York into the play-off spots, ahead of Boston on goal difference, but Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat has knocked them down to ninth.

Mark Beck’s header was the difference at the LNER Community Stadium at the weekend before stand-out performer Michael Woods smashed in the equaliser in Lincolnshire.

Such is football, it was an all-round better performance on Tuesday than it was on Saturday - but conceding two penalties cost York what would have been a good point.

Here are five things we learnt from the two games.

1. Play-offs are still in sight...

It's still early days so the table will still be relatively tight. Even so, City's situation is nowhere near as desperate as it once looked - despite many of the same squad problems remaining.

2. ... but the title already looks a stretch

Fourth spot is just three points away from York. Table-toppers AFC Fylde - perfect at home and with a 50 per cent win rate away - are an ominous 11 points ahead.

York's current form is cause for optimism. But the nine-point headstart they gave the Coasters is cause for regret.

3. Blyth is another must-win

All York can do is keep racking up the wins - which, in fairness, they have been doing admirably around their FA Cup duties - and hoping Fylde add more defeats to the one already in the 'losses' column.

That starts on Saturday at home to 17th-placed Blyth Spartans, who have not won in the league for two months.

4. York have to do it the hard way

The Minstermen's rotten luck at the back persists. No sooner did captain Sean Newton reappeared as a substitute following injury than Michael Duckworth picked up a hamstring injury, which could keep him out for more than a month.

That is the same length of time it will take his full-back colleague to rehabilitate from an Achilles injury.

With options still scant at centre-back, City will have to use repurposed midfielders or put their trust in youth.

5. Keep Heaney pushed up

Attacker Mackenzie Heaney played a touch higher than usual at Boston, and it brought one of his best performances for weeks. With his pace, he was particularly useful on the break.

But for a timely intervention from defender Jake Wright (off Mark Beck's header from Heaney's wicked cross) and a wildly mishit volley at the other end, he could have had an assist and a goal.

More of the same could cause Blyth some problems.