Report: York City 2-1 Lincoln City

York City will head into the second leg of their FA Trophy semi final with a 2-1 advantage over Lincoln City after a battling win on Tuesday night at Bootham Crescent.

The National League leaders went ahead early in the tie via the penalty spot, Lee Angol firing in from 12 yards. City had to wait until after the half time break for their equaliser through the head of Vadaine Oliver, and were ahead after 70 minutes, Adriano Moke's shot deflecting off Aidan Connolly.

City started nervously, the Imps breaching the back line several times in the first five minutes, and needed Hamza Bencherif to scramble away when Lee Angol was presented with a chance from five yards.

But York grew into the game, calling Lincoln keeper Ross Etheridge into action to come and claim a Bencherif cross early inside the first 10 minutes.

Manager Gary Mills will be disappointed with how his side conceded the opening goal, City's players failed to react quickly enough to a Sam Habergham throw in from the left touchline and Bencherif clumsily took down Angol as he charged into the penalty area. The striker made no mistake from the resulting spot kick, dispatching low to the bottom right hand corner just inside the 15 minute mark.

While Lincoln had more of the ball in the remainder of the half, City's defence limited their chances, the visitors coming closest through Jamie McCombe, who met a corner at the near post to flick just over the crossbar.

For all their defensive ardour though, York were unable to create any real goalscoring opportunities, their only shot on target coming from a very speculative Jon Parkin volley from 35 yards that was easily gathered by Etheridge.

Looking to turn the game around, Mills sent on Connolly at half time to replace Scott Fenwick, who had looked uncomfortable playing central midfield.

And City were level within 10 minutes of the restart, Amari Morgan-Smith lofted a deep cross in from the left and Oliver rose to flick a header into the bottom right hand corner.

York did look more threatening going forward with Connolly on the pitch, and it was the diminutive playmaker who scored City's winner. York keeper Kyle Letheren found Moke, on for the injured Alex Whittle, on the break. With the Imps' defence backing off Moke struck right footed and Connolly, running across the path of the shot deflected it over the scrambling Etheridge.

Quite how the Lincoln equaliser didn't arrive on the 85 minute mark is anyone's guess, Letheren, Rooney and Holmes all helping to juggle the ball off the line. That came in the midst of a period of intense pressure from the visitors, who had thrown on top goalscorer Matt Rhead to try and take the tie to Sincil Bank level on aggregate.

But the home side held on to take a memorable win, prompting jubilant scenes at the final whistle. Those fans will travel to Lincoln for the second leg on Saturday knowing a draw will be enough to grant them a day out at Wembley in May.

By Peter Rogers, York City Reporter

SHARE THIS STORY:

Get our app, and stay up to date!