YORK City produced a resilient performance to defeat Chesterfield for the first time in 31 years.

Michael Morton’s side hadn’t beaten the Spireites since 1992, and can be pleased to have scored three goals against a Chesterfield side who hadn’t conceded in 407 minutes of football ahead of kick-off.

But three fantastic individual strikes clinched a major three points for the travelling York, who have moved up to 14th in the Vanarama National League table as a result.

City are now unbeaten in their last three, extending the gap between York and the relegation zone to nine points.

Chesterfield had taken the lead in the 19th minute through a clinical finish from Ryan Colclough, who drove into the box before bending the ball into the far corner.

Despite the Spireites taking the advantage, it was York who would have the majority of chances, with Olly Dyson striking the post, Shaq Forde curling over the bar and Lenell John-Lewis striking wide of an open goal from 35-yards out.

But City’s pressure was eventually rewarded with a sublime strike from Dyson, who latched onto a flick on from Alex Hurst before expertly volleying into the top corner.

York headed into the second half in control, which was quickly proven after Michael Duckworth latched onto a lousy clearance from Ross Fitzsimmons to hammer the ball home from 40-yards out.

And the three points were sealed after Paddy McLaughlin found himself with space on the edge of the box, before arrowing an effort through a crowd of bodies and past a helpless Fitzsimmons.

Morton opted to name an unchanged side in Derbyshire, after City managed a crucial 1-0 victory over Barnet on Monday night.

The only change within the squad was with the inclusion of Manny Duku, who replaced Danny Rowe on the bench as the striker is ineligible to play against his parent club.

It was a quiet start in Derbyshire with Chesterfield controlling the early stages of the match.

A Colclough header flew wide of Ryan Whitley’s goal, before Jamie Grimes saw an audacious header from distance rise into the stand filled by City fans.

But Chesterfield’s early prevailed and quickly instated the lead on the match from an arrowed strike by Colclough, who only joined the Spireites mid-season from Altrincham.

The winger received possession on the edge of the box before turning the first challenge and showing the composure to bend an effort into the far corner, leaving Whitley no chance and handing Chesterfield the early advantage.

It took 25 minutes before York mustered a shot on goal, which Michael Duckworth dragged well wide of the post.

But City were struck into life after some strong battling from Dyson in midfield, who persevered past three challenges before unleashing a strike that rattled the framework of the goal.

York had another opportunity just a minute later, as Hurst’s cross was flicked on by John-Lewis into the path of Forde, but he rushed his effort and curled over the bar from close-range.

Chesterfield looked to double their advantage through Mandeville again, as a nicely worked move ended with a tame shot from the winger that was easily collected by Whitley.

The home sides goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons was strangely playing very highly up the pitch, spending the majority of the game out of his box and acting as a sweeper keeper. This was nearly punished by John-Lewis, who dispossessed the goalkeeper before firing wide of the target from distance.

But after the Minstermen’s pressure, they drew the scores level with a special goal.

A long ball from Duckworth was nodded into the path of Dyson by Hurst, before the midfielder struck an unstoppable strike into the top corner.

Heading into the second half, City immediately took the lead.

Dyson’s goal was going to be hard to top, but Duckworth gave it a good go with a strike from 40-yards out.

Another error from Fitzsimmons, again playing his high line, saw the goalkeeper clear the ball as far as Duckworth who struck an effort into the empty goal before breaking into a back flip as a celebration!

York had to withstand some growing Chesterfield pressure, as Colclough saw a low effort skim past the far post.

But with just over 15 minutes remaining of the tie, the Minstermen sealed the three points.

A first corner of the game from Hancox only reached as far as Banks, whose headed clearance fell to directly to McLaughlin. A controlled first touch allowed McLaughlin to open up his body before hammering the ball through a crowd of bodies to beat Fitzsimmons in goal.

Chesterfield did maintain some late pressure, but a fantastic low stop from Whitley denied Colclough a late consolation.

York are now up to 14th and prepare to take on Yorkshire rivals FC Halifax Town on Monday, who are just one place below the Minstermen in the table.

Chesterfield: Fitzsimons, King, Palmer, Grimes, Maguire, Jones, Banks, Mandeville, Dallas (Asante, 69), Colclough, McCallum (Quigley, 69)

Subs: Horton, Oldaker, Uchegbulam

Goals: Mandeville (19)

Yellow cards: Maguire (89) Jones (90) Colclough (90)

York City: Whitley 8, Hurst 8, Duckworth 9, Ellis 8, Crookes 8, Whittle- 8, McLaughlin 8, Dyson 9, Hancox 7 (Mafuta, 77), John-Lewis 7 (Duku 6, 63), Forde 8 (Kouhyar, 89)

Subs not used: Campbell, Kouogun

Goals: Dyson (42) Duckworth (52)

Yellow cards: Hancox (50) Ellis (90)

York’s star man: Michael Duckworth. So many players performed admirably today, especially Duckworth and Olly Dyson. However, we’ve elected to go for Duckworth, who didn’t only get himself on the scoresheet, but managed to keep Colclough quiet on the wing other than a flash of brilliance. Defensively he was outstanding, and has been for a few weeks now.

Attendance: 8638 (1105)

Referee: Michael Barlow

Shots (on target): 3 (6) | 4 (3)

Corners: 14 | 1

Offsides: 0 | 4

Fouls committed: 7 | 11