YORK City have emerged from the Easter period outside the Vanarama National League North play-off places after a 1-0 win over Spennymoor Town and a 3-0 defeat at Alfreton Town.

Here are five things that we learnt from the two matches.

1. The end-of-season lull continues

York left play-off positioned Chorley with a 2-2 draw and a sense of optimism last week, having come from behind to earn a well-deserved away point.

City performed promisingly, with their build-up play in attack looking sharp again as they scored twice in a match for the first time in almost a month.

The Minstermen backed that up with a hard-fought win against Spennymoor but failed to back that up in a dire loss to Alfreton.

Now on a run of just two wins from their last nine league matches, York are stuttering at the worst time possible.

2. Play-off finish still in their hands

Despite York's struggles, securing a top seven place is still entirely achievable.

Currently eighth, City trail seventh-placed Kettering Town on only goal difference, with the advantage of a game in hand.

Added to that is that York play four of the bottom six in their final five matches and they could hardly wish for a more favourable run-in.

3. Defensive issues remain a worry

After the Alfreton failure, manager John Askey's admission was stark.

"It’s bitterly disappointing that we can’t compete with the physicality of it when we play teams like this," he said, before adding that it was "very difficult" to change at this stage of the season.

Three set pieces did for York at the Impact Arena and having conceded at Brackley Town and Kettering in a similar manner, it appears a recurrent theme.

City have though conceded just once in their last four home matches and will seeking to maintain that run in the final two games at the LNER Community Stadium against Gloucester City and AFC Fylde.

4. No clear replacements at right-back

Michael Duckworth was stretchered from the field after suffering a suspected fracture in his calf at Alfreton.

With no players around him at the time, it was a worrying blow for the full-back, whose season could now be over.

No other out-and-out right-backs are in York's squad, meaning either makeshift options or a formation change from 4-3-3 are needed.

5. Easter further highlights York's support

The home win over Spennymoor brought a crowd of 3,797, the highest managed at the LNER Community Stadium, barring the Chorley match, in which ticket prices were heavily discounted.

Combined with a large following contingent at Alfreton, it was a further reminder of York's stature as a club in comparison to their current position in regional football.

As arguably the biggest and most well-resources club in the division, it is easy to understand why promotion is the minimum expectation.