A SECOND-MINUTE strike from Josh Knowles was enough to secure York City Academy all three points at home to Darlington.

Knowles pounced on the rebound after the Darlo keeper failed to keep hold of a Lewis Cunningham flick on to give City the lead after less than 120 seconds.

It stayed 1-0 until full-time in the National League Under-19 Alliance fixture.

Knowles missed a golden opportunity to add a second for himself and the team 11 minutes before the break. From the penalty spot, the keeper guessed right and got across to save his effort.

Shortly before the spot kick, Kyle Lancaster - who came on for the final quarter of an hour of the first team's 4-0 win over Blyth Spartans on Saturday - had a an effort saved by the Quakers keeper's legs.

Also pushing for a place in the senior City side, left-back Cunningham put an effort over from range toward the start of the second half.

Keiran Clayton, coming on to replace Lancaster, headed just wide from a Tom Algar free kick, while Maison Campbell made a good save just after the break to retain his clean sheet.

Second-half substitute Jack Degruchy picked up a red card with five minutes of normal time to go after going in late on the Darlington keeper.

The win lifts City to second in the table, sandwiched between behind perfect-starters Guiseley and AFC Fylde, who have played four games and three, respectively, to York's five.

One point off the summit, York have a break from league action next Wednesday before returning to Wigginton Road for a fixture against Chesterfield on November 17.