YORK City fell to a first away defeat in the Vanarama National League North since January after losing 2-0 at Kettering Town.

Kettering are widely noted as one of the division’s most direct sides, particularly on a Latimer Park pitch far from suited to free-flowing football.

However York failed to heed that warning and two goals inside the opening dozen minutes put the game beyond their reach before it felt like it had even properly begun.

After such a promising first-half display at National League side Bromley at the weekend, City have been served a reminder of the battling attributes needed to overcome primarily long-ball opposition in regional football.

The saving grace for the Minstermen is that they remain inside the play-off places, although now hold only a one-point gap in the top seven ahead of daunting trip to new leaders Brackley Town on Saturday.

Matches are coming thick and fast for York between now and the end of the season. With another nine league games to come in the matter of a month, the fitness and sheer will of York will surely be tested as much as their pure technical ability.

This was not a City side that appeared severely weakened by injury or other absences, it should be pointed out. Askey handed a York debut to new signing Maziar Kouhyar, with the winger coming in from the start on the right.

The previously cup-tied Lenell John-Lewis and Jack McKay came back into the fold, the latter as part of a strong bench.

Mitch Hancox and Michael Duckworth were the stand-out players to drop out, as Ben Dale also missed out.

The absence of Duckworth saw Sam Sanders back into the starting 11 and featuring as the left-sided centre-back in a 5-2-3 formation, with Olly Dyson back at right-wing-back.

However even the inclusion of five defenders could not prevent York conceding after just five minutes as Kettering went in front through a trademark direct attack.

A long throw in into the box was delivered by the hosts and captain Connor Kennedy reacted quickest to the loose ball - his swinging attempt finding the bottom corner and giving goalkeeper Peter Jameson no chance in the process.

Less than 10 minutes later and, with their second shot on goal, Kettering doubled their lead.

Town put Connor Barrett in the clear on the right and he held up play nicely for Callum Stead who was given so much space and time by the York defence, allowing him to pick out the right corner.

Seconds later, Kettering almost had a third as a deflected strike from George Cooper beat Jameson but fortunately for City ran wide of his far post.

After 20 minutes, York finally registered a shot on goal although the effort rather summed up City’s evening to that point - Akil Wright’s long-range shot hitting the back of Kurt Willoughby and going well over the crossbar.

York did begin to work themselves back into the game thereafter, heeding the success of Kettering by threatening from set pieces.

Kouogun saw a header in the box go just wide from a crossed free-kick while Willoughby produced a stunning save from Jackson Smith from a set piece of his own.

Kettering remained a threat at the other end though and, as the half reached its conclusion, a Jordan Crawford header well stopped by Jameson, with the forward having beaten Dyson at the far post.

There remained time for one last York chance. John-Lewis chased a lost cause and had a close-range shot saved before Paddy McLaughlin hit the side netting on the follow-up.

Even with the words of Askey presumably ringing in their ears, York were slowest out of the blocks in the second half.

Two quick-fire Kettering chances missed the target as Kennedy’s shot deflected wide while Stead turned past Dyson before firing over.

It took until the hour mark before York recorded a first shot in the second half. A ball across from the left by Scott Barrow found John-Lewis who could only flick an effort wide of goal.

It was hoped that the introduction of Clayton Donaldson from the bench could inspire a comeback but the number 10 could only mis-kick a shot from Barrow’s delivery before finding himself in the book as City’s frustration showed in a dubious goal-kick decision.

That was meek Donaldson effort was the last chance that City were able to muster in a rather dour second half in which Kettering seemed content to sit on and their two-goal lead.

Not even the final five to 10 minutes could see York produce one late chance. By the time the final whistle had sounded, the majority of the travelling support were already back en route up north.

Kettering: Smith, Barrett, Brown, J. Smith, Johnson, Cooper, Stead, Kennedy (C), Stohrer, Crawford (Sheriff 76’), Daly.

Subs not used: Milovanic, Davies, C. Smith, Deacon.

Goals: Kennedy (5’), Stead (12’)

Yellow cards: J. Smith (25’)

York: Jameson 5, Dyson 4, Sanders 4, Kouogun 4, Brown (C) 4, Barrow 5 (McKay 79’ 4), Wright 4, McLaughlin 4, Kouhyar 5 (Donaldson 64’ 5), John-Lewis 4, Willoughby 5.

Subs not used: Campbell, James, Longdon.

Yellow cards: Kouogun (31’), Donaldson (78’), John-Lewis (79’)

York’s star man: Maziar Kouhyar. Even in little over an hour on the pitch, Kouhyar showed some bright touches on a terrible pitch and was a rare attacking threat.

Shots (on target): 13 (6) | 8 (2)

Corners: 6 | 2

Offsides: 1 | 2

Fouls committed: 6 | 9

Referee: Matt Corlett

Attendance: 852