A controversial goal and two red cards in the space of just a few minutes brought York’s positive form come to an end. Ten points from three games prior to the fixture put the Minstermen in good stead for their survival hopes.

But it was a mad few minutes which made all that good work evaporate, two high challenges on midfielder Solomon Nwabuokei doing the damage. Firstly from Zanda Siziba and then, when play continued, key-man Ryan Fallowfield was given his marching orders as well after he was shown red for an even more dangerous tackle on the Eastleigh player. Both being straight red cards means that the two players will miss the remainder of the campaign through suspension.

With nine-men York showed fight. In the closing minutes though a corner was swung in by Ben Reeves and guided in from close range by Luke Croll. Immediately all those in red reacted at the referee feeling that the York City goalkeeper had been impeded in his attempt to stop the cross coming in.

The appeals did have some real weight to them. Watching the post-match footage the keeper Sykes-Kenworthy is clearly held and obstructed. In the aftermath the York City bench saw multiple members of the coaching staff spoken to by the match day officials and any hope of the goal being chalked off quashed. The final score 1-0 victory for the visitors.

A dejected Adam Hinshelwood however was able to compose himself for his post match interviews saying: “We can’t sit behind referee’s display today, we have to be bigger than that, better than that, and take responsibly ourselves we weren’t good enough as a team. We have to demand more from ourselves.” Despite the loss they sit above the relegation spots and the York manager will have a watchful eye on those around them in the coming days and weeks.

York City have just two more fixtures this season. The run-in sees them face off against Woking and Solihull Moors. They will be optimistic of leap frogging drop-zone rivals Woking in their upcoming game at home at the LNER stadium on Saturday had it not been for their growing list of absentees.