Ebbsfleet United

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York 1-0 Ebbsfleet

York recorded a 1-0 win over lowly Ebbsfleet in the Blue Square Premier to keep pace with the sides vying for a play-off place.

Mark Rankine scored the only goal of the game with the result leaving Fleet second-from bottom with just nine points.

York controlled proceedings for much of the match and would have come away with a number of goals had it not been for goalkeeper Lance Cronin.

The Minstermen have now gone thirteen games unbeaten at home this season.

Richard Brodie had York's first real chance f the game after eight minutes but Dean Pooley recovered after initially allowing Brodie through on goal, to concede a corner.

But it was Alex Lawless, who forced Cronin into his first save after a powerful drive from the edge of the box.

Brodie and Rankine were the liveliest for the home side along with David McGurk, who began to assert their dominance over the struggling Fleet.

Brodie should have scored on the half hour mark after connecting to a Chris Carruthers cross but he put his header over the bar and then had another good effort moments later but Cronin tipped the header over his goal.

Ebbsfleet were powerless to keep out Rankine on 36 minutes though as he scored from point blank range with Cronin only able to parry McGurk's shot into the player's path.

Fleet's only real chance came from the boot of Darius Charles, but Michael Ingham made the save look easy.

Pooley was on hand to keep the score at just 1-0 when he cleared Rankine's effort off the line.

York continued to pass the ball around effectively in the second half and Brodie was guilty of missing a number of chances.

McGurk almost found the back of the net with his effort early in the half but the York defence got back in numbers to provide plenty of cover for Ingham, who eventually got all ten fingers on the ball.

Brodie and Daniel Parslow had the best chances as the game wore down but no further goals were forthcoming and York had to settle for just the one in a one-sided tie.

York bookings: Lawless, Barrett, Rankine, Mackin

Ebbsfleet United bookings: Charles

Att: 2629

Ref: D Handley