ALEX KEMPSTER’S first-half goal proved the difference as York City overcame League One outfit Bolton Wanderers 1-0 at Bootham Crescent.

City’s second pre-season game contrasted somewhat with their first outing as the Minstermen seemed more or less in control for the whole game.

The hosts had 12 efforts on goal to Bolton's three and were sharper across the park, giving their higher-tier opponents little time on the ball.

And the winning goal arrived just after the half-hour, Kempster played through on goal and getting to the ball just inches ahead of keeper Matt Alexander to lift home.

City, with one game under their belt already, controlled the early stages well, faster to each loose and second ball and keeping possession comfortably through the defence and midfield. The only early disappointment was the number of balls played forward to no one.

When York played the ball forward, however, they looked more in control and fashioned a fourth-minute chance for captain Jordan Burrow, who could not make the desired headed connection with Griffith’s right-wing ball.

Just a minute after, Griffiths himself had a low effort saved from Liam Smith’s ball in after the triallist improvised well to claim possession of a Sean Newton drilled ball that did not look destined for him.

Andy Bond had the next sight of goal, unmarked eight yards out, but made tame connection from Alex Kempster’s bouncing pull back.

Then, chasing a ball down the line, former Fylde man Bond elected to pass it out of play for a Bolton throw, though York soon regained possession and Bond was able to get a shot away from 22 yards. Keeper Matt Alexander spilt it but collected before Burrow could nip in.

York continued to threaten, with right-back Josh King looking assured on the ball and fellow defender Tom Allan also getting up in support, the latter seeing a looping header just about cleared away.

Burrow saw a effort from a tight angle go wide of the right-hand upright and, from the other side, Kempster had his shot after King played him clean through with a lovely ball.

It was all York by the midway point of the half, where the visitors had only a corner to their name, with defensive work across the City team giving them little space to work in and adeptly nullifying their threat.

And, just after half-hour, Kempster finally made the breakthrough for the hosts, beating Alexander to Burrow’s headed flick into space and getting just enough to flick over him and watch the ball roll into the net.

Ryan Whitley was first called into action five minutes on, collecting comfortably from Dennis Politic’s free kick, before happily watching the Romanian youngster’s long-range lob sail over.

A pair of long passes over the Bolton defence nearly came close to adding to City’s tally, but Bond was too hesitant in looking to round the keeper and Smith was just a bit too far away from Griffith’s ball forward.

With nine fresh pairs of the legs on the field for the second half, Bolton had the first chance of the 45, City failing to clear their lines and Myles Edmondson getting a deflected effort away.

But York were soon back in their rhythm of containment and attack, the right-hand side proving the most dangerous.

Some neat interplay with Kempster sent half-time substitute Nathan Dyer racing clear on the penalty area. His ball across squeezed all the way through to summer signing Kieran Green, who blazed over from inside the box.

Burrow fired wide at the third attempt from very close range, again from a right-wing cross, while Kempster’s shot was high after he raced down the left towards goal.

Keeper Luke Hutchinson had to be at full stretch to get Newton’s arcing left-wing cross away with his fingertips, with Green dragging the second ball just wide, before getting down well to save from Paddy McLaughlin, who was played in by Dyer.

His earlier effort notwithstanding, Green exhibited some good touches and nice awareness, notably playing a sharp cut-back to Kempster in the final five minutes, though the striker fired over with the last chance of the game.

York: Whitley, Griffiths (Dyer HT), Newton, Tait (Jebson-King 67), Allan (Ventura 67), King, Moke (McLaughlin HT), Bond (Green HT), Burrow (C) (Watson 67), Kempster, Smith. Subs: Dyer, Watson, Green, McLaughlin, Harrison, Jameson, Jebson-King, Ventura.

Bolton first half: Alexander, Whalley, White, Zouma, Boon, Graham, Politic, Wood, Hall, Brown, Darcy.

Bolton second half: Alexander (Hutchison 67), Zouma (Colvin 67), Cowan, Senior, Edmondson (Richards), Osigwe, Assarson, Riley, King-Harmes, Lockett, Sterling.

Attendance: 666