Leo Fortune-West

York City 4-1 Farsley

Colin Walker's York City recorded a comfortable victory at KitKat Crescent on Tuesday night to move Farsley Celtic closer to relegation.

Walker recalled leading scorer Onome Sodje at the expense of defender Darren Craddock, while David McGurk (Clubman of the Year) and Andy McWilliams (Youth Player of the Season) both featured at the back.

But it was veteran on loan striker Fortune-West that sent an early long-range effort across goal before Woolford's chipped free-kick produced a far post volley from Danny Parslow that was saved by Curtis Aspden.

The Minstermen went ahead on eleven minutes when Fortune-West created the opportunity for the unmarked Woolford to steer home his seventeenth goal of the campaign.

Woolford almost increased the advantage eight minutes later when his downward header from Ben Purkiss' cross was scrambled away by keeper Aspden at his left-hand post.

The home faithful didn't have too long to wait though as Woolford's resultant corner was hooked in from close-range by Fortune-West for his second goal for the club.

Midfielder Simon Rusk was then denied by a last-ditch challenge in the area, while Damien Reeves drove an attempt over and Steve Torpey fired straight at home keeper Tom Evans at the opposite end.

Woolford twice went close to extending the hosts' lead before the break when keeper Aspden was forced to beat away his initial shot and, moments later, clutch onto an instinctive first-time effort from the talented winger.

An early second-half free-kick from Woolford also required a crucial headed interception from Amjad Iqbal to deny Fortune-West, while the visitors' substitute Rory Prendergast curled a dangerous corner across the face of the area.

The Villagers then had a narrow escape when Simeon Bambrook headed against his own crossbar before former York striker David McNiven had an effort ruled out after bundling into keeper Evans.

Both McNiven and Damien Reeves were then well off-target as the desperate visitors chased a way back into the contest.

The Minstermen introduced substitute Brodie in the 71st minute at the expense of Woolford, although it was converted midfielder Jimmy Beadle that soon threatened with a right-footed effort that went wide of the top corner.

But it was their opponents that suddenly forced themselves back into contention with sixteen minutes remaining when Bambrook rose highest to head past Evans from Prendergast's corner.

York sent on youngster Liam Shepherd in place of Sodje eight minutes later before fellow replacement Brodie broke clear but could only shoot straight at Aspden.

However, Brodie was to make amends within sixty seconds when latching onto Rusk's neat through ball and this time making no mistake with his finish.

The hosts added a fourth in the final minute with Brodie driving home his second - and thirteenth of the campaign - after Fortune-West had flicked on.

Fortune-West then broke away with colleagues in support before lashing another late chance over the bar.

York bookings: Purkiss 71, Sodje 82, Brodie 90.

Farsley bookings: McNiven 37, Bambrook 56.

Ref: G Sutton.

Att: 1886.