YORK City edged through to the next round of the FA Trophy after a narrow 1-0 victory over Slough Town at the LNER Community Stadium.

Clayton Donaldson’s header on 19 minutes was the difference between the two sides, although it came in controversial circumstances.

The striker was in acres of space when he nodded City in front and, at first glance, appeared offside.

All importantly, the assistant referee ruled the goal as legal despite the lengthy protests from the Slough players and coaching staff.

The Minstermen struggled to kick on and add to their lead in a second half when Town were on top, although never seriously threatening.

If York are to challenge the higher-ranked teams in this competition and, more pressingly, push on for promotion in the league under John Askey, they surely have to become more creative in front of goal.

Admittedly, this was a City side showing an entirely new front three from the one that lined up in their last Vanarama National League North match.

Following Mark Beck’s return to Harrogate Town and with Jack McKay cup tied, Donaldson, Kurt Willoughby and Olly Dyson returned as starters, the latter making his first appearance since early November amid injury issues.

Scott Barrow, Remy Longdon and Kieran Wallace (the latter recalled by Burton Albion) dropped out for City and, with Matty Brown still suspended, Maxim Kouogun came in for his debut at centre back, with Mitch Hancox back on the left of the defence.

Slough made the early inroads in the game and forced York into some fine defending on seven minutes.

Alfonso Tesconi found himself through on goal in the box and poked a shot past Peter Jameson. Fortunately, the dink lacked the necessary power and Kouogun managed to track back and coolly clear off the line.

Shortly after, City had an effort cleared by a defender from close range. A wonderful delivery from Mackenzie Heaney’s corner was met well by Donaldson, with a Slough man well placed on the post to deny the forward.

Not unlike several previous visitors to the LNER Community Stadium, Slough went long with almost every set piece and York were forced to defend tough at regular intervals.

After 20 minutes, York seemed to have the slight edge. They had the ball in the back of the net from a corner but Kouogun clearly fouled the goalkeeper in the build up.

City’s opener came when Sean Newton crossed nicely from the left and Donaldson, without a defender in sight, headed home with ease from close range.

Immediately, Slough’s players rushed to the officials to complain for offside but there was no overturning the decision.

York really should have doubled their lead soon after when Mackenzie Heaney put both Donaldson and Paddy McLaughlin in the clear.

The latter at first looked to set the ball up for the former but eventually took the shot on himself. Perhaps given his undecided build-up, his shot was claimed by goalkeeper Jonathan North.

Things went from bad to worse for McLaughlin, who almost put his side behind minutes after.

His misplaced back pass fell straight into Tesconi’s path on the edge of the box but Jameson rushed out to excellently save the first-time strike with one hand.

City managed to see out the rest of the first half without conceding any more opportunities.

Heaney came the closest to scoring before the interval. His long-range hit was nicely pushed wide by North’s finger tips.

Ever since scoring, York’s passing and composure on the ball had fallen short of their standards. That duly continued from the first half into the second and Slough had the better of the territory throughout the latter period.

Wallace had previously played as the deepest lying midfielder and provided a calm head in the middle of the park for City.

For all of Akil Wright’s qualities, he is lacking in being able to put his foot on the ball and dictate a game in quite the same way.

Slough had much of the ball but it was not until after the hour mark that they properly tested Jameson.

Matt Lench’s shot from a lengthy distance forced the keeper into action, a rare test of his abilities during the second half.

Lacking much attacking intent, York were unable to turn to game-changing substitutes. Askey again decided to name just five subs in this competition, including his assistant Kingsley James.

With 20 minutes to go, Willoughby sharply cut inside but shot tamely at the keeper.

At the other end, Slough’s midfield were getting into plenty of good positions and often delivering some wicked crosses, but without any finishing touches at the end of them.

Newton and Kouogun cleared most of the probing balls into the box and the final whistle sounded much to their relief.

 

York: Jameson 6, Duckworth 6, Kouogun 6, Newton 6, Hancox 6, Wright 5, McLaughlin 4, Dyson 6 (Hopper 87’), Donaldson 6, Willoughby 5, Heaney 5.

Subs not used: Campbell, Fielding, Haase, James.

Goals: Donaldson (19)

Yellow cards: Hancox, Heaney

York’s star man: Maxim Kouogun. Looked solid on debut at the back and won most of his one-on-one battles.

 

Slough: North, Jackman (Worsfold 77’), Grant, Hollis, Togwell (Nisbet 90’), Lench, Tesconi, Hunt, Davies, Kuhl, Goueth (Kayani 61’).

Subs not used: Fraser, Lawal, Williams, Rose.

Goals:

Yellow cards: Jackman, Lench, Kuhl

 

Referee: Paul Marsden

Attendance: 2,261 (240)

 

Shots (on target): 11 (8) | 10 (8)

Corners: 7 | 2

Fouls won: 9 | 11

Offsides: 2 | 1