Two second-half goals involving Sam Sanders and Lennell John-Lewis helped secure the ten men of York City’s first three points in nine games, as the Minstermen defeated a high-flying Woking side 2-0.

Newly appointed manager David Webb will still have to wait however to make his debut in the dugout, after being rushed to hospital with covid-19 and a lung infection earlier in the week, but assistant manager Michael Morton saw plenty to be optimistic about with a clean sheet and two quality goals.

Sanders made his return to the squad after a suspension carried out against Wrexham with a bang, finding himself unmarked at the back post to nod home from Luke James’ free-kick just before the hour mark.

The odds would be stacked against York to carry out the three points however after a controversial decision made by referee Ruebyn Ricardo, who opted to show Fraser Kerr a straight red card when clipping the heels of Rhys Browne, despite supporting York bodies insisting Kerr wasn’t the last man.

And despite heavy pressure from Woking, some fantastic grit from Mitch Hancox helped send John-Lewis on his way, who was able to convert past Ethan Ross to nick his ninth of the season.

Woking came closest through non-league stalwart Padraid Amond, who raced through on goal in the second half and saw his cheeky dinked attempt denied by the post.

Former Bradford City midfielder Jermaine Anderson also had a major chance, finding himself free at the back post, but his diving header evaded the target. York have now clinched their first league victory since October, the Minstermen will be looking ahead to Tuesday night’s clash against another team occupying the play-offs, with it expected that Morton will be in charge of the match versus Solihull Moors on Tuesday night.

The Minstermen also claimed their first league double of the campaign, having also defeated Woking on the opening day of the season with a recognised 2-0 triumph. It also stretches an unwanted record for Woking, who are yet to ever beat York.

York were hindered in the warm-ups today, as Gus Mafuta suffered an minor injury which saw Luke James come into the starting lineup and Scott Burgess as his replacement on the bench.

Sanders made his return from suspension by replacing Adam Crookes, who was absent from the squad completely.

It was a strong start from Morton’s Minstermen, as James looked to make an instant impact into the late team change when receiving the ball on the edge of the box, but his eventual shot was dragged wide of the target. Woking began to slowly grow into the game with teasing chances, as Browne had two crosses evade any target in the danger zone before fizzling out of play thanks to some good positioning from the York defence.

On the 22nd minute mark York nearly found a breakthrough, as a deep cross from Alex Whittle found Michael Duckworth at the back post, but his volleyed strike was deflected away for a corner.

An end-to-end contest was the early narrative at the Laithwaite Stadium, as Jack Roles fed James Daly in behind the York defence, but he couldn’t get his angles right as he smashed wide of the target.

Duckworth was once again involved in the thick of the play, as his ball into Mitch Hancox saw the defender have a low effort smothered by Craig Ross.

Lennell John-Lewis had been struggling for goals since his last against Boreham Wood in early November, but was nearly involved in setting up Duckworth, whose cushioned header was nodded into the side netting.

Heading into the second half, Daly would have two major chances to gift Woking the lead, but a good stop from Ross and a strong deflection from Maxim Kouogun saw York escape the danger with a lifeline.

And with Woking dominating the play and looking the more likely, a spark of excellence saw York snatch the advantage.

A foul on the wing allowed James to cross into the box, where a poor clearance allowed Sanders to bully the ball home at the back post to send the travelling York fans into jubilation.

Minutes later, York would find themselves weathering the storm of a poor Hancox pass which allowed Browne to break through.

With Kerr chasing, the defender nibbled at the ankles of Browne, causing the referee to award a straight red card despite the unheard protests of the York players. This would cause a chain reaction almost, with York soaking up constant Woking pressure and being forced to sit back on their one goal lead.

Sanders helped raise the morale however with a fantastic header to deny a goalbound Anderson strike.

The biggest chance for Woking came minutes later courtesy of Amond, who drove in behind the York defence with Ross stood between himself and an equaliser, but the attacker’s courageous dinked effort rattled the woodwork before being smashed gratefully into the stands. Anderson would be kicking himself too for a missed opportunity, as Daly’s deep cross found the midfielder at the back post, but his diving header somehow trickled out for a goal kick.

It wouldn’t all be Woking in the second half however, as some good hold-up play from John-Lewis allowed him to lay the ball off for Dan Pybus, but he slipped as he went to take the shot and saw his effort glance wide of the target.

And with just a minute left on the clock, York sealed the three points courtesy of ‘the Shop’. Some valiant challenging and a great break from Hancox saw John-Lewis find himself through on goal, before powering the ball beneath Ross to round off the game with a much-needed three points and a long journey home for the York supporters with a beaming smile on their faces.

Woking: Ross, Moss (O’Connell, 82), Cuthbert, McNerney (Johnson, 79), Vokins, Ince, Anderson, Daly, Roles (Korboa, 72), Amond, Browne Subs not used: Wady, Casey

York: Ross 8, Duckworth 8, Kouogun 7, Kerr 6, Hancox 9, Whittle 6 (Thomas, 57 (Duku, 98)), Dyson 6, Sanders 8, Pybus 7, James 8(Burgess, 70), John-Lewis 9 Subs not used: Whitley, Hurst Yellow cards: Thomas, Pybus, Dyson Red cards: Kerr

York’s star man: Mitch Hancox. Was a stalwart at the back and adapted to numerous different positions. Rallied the troops after Kerr’s dismissal and played a pivotal role in John-Lewis’ goal. Attendance: 1966 (224) Referee: Ruebyn Ricardo Shots (on target): 10 (5) | 4 (3) Corners: 8 | 2 Fouls: 6 | 10