York City 0-2 Newport County AFC
Newport County AFC secured a victory at York City on their final away game of the season. However with Plymouth defeating Tranmere it means that it is almost impossible for County to gain a playoff place.
After a disappointing defeat at home to Dagenham and Redbridge last weekend, Newport travelled to York hoping that they could continue to chase the playoffs.
Early on in the match County Yan Klukowski made an exciting effort on goal, only for his shot to be deflected, and Miles Storey came closest to breaking the deadlock with a low cross that somehow he managed to fire over the crossbar.
After 4 minutes of play in the first half a promising County spell was rewarded when David Tutonda met Klukowski’s excellent cross.
But after Klukowski pulled down a York player in the box, referee Darren Deadman awarded a spot kick to the Minstermen. However Joe Day denied York the equaliser with a top quality stretched save.
An attacking Exiles side completed the victory from a well worked set piece. Mark Byrne sent a curling cross from a short range free kick and skipper Lee Minshull jumped high to put the ball past Michael Ingham.
By this point in the match the travelling County supporters were aware of Plymouth’s convincing win but they continued to celebrate in style, with a full length conga dancing across the terrace. Even a section of German Carl Zeiss Jena supporters made the trip; the two sides famously met in the 1981 Cup Winners Cup and traditionally stage an annual fixture every summer.
Klukowski thought he scored a third with a headed effort and youngster Tom Owen-Evans almost struck a volley after coming on from the bench. But County would go on to seal a competent win at Bootham Crescent. They will be required of an 18 goal win at Oxford next week to make the playoffs.
