Relieved Nigel has play-off demands
YORK CITY confirmed their spot in the play-off places as Michael Coulson’s stunning free-kick made it 16 unbeaten for the Minstermen – but boss Nigel Worthington warned his side to remain focussed on what’s to come.
Coulson’s superb effort ultimately proved the difference between the two sides, and Worthington admitted it was a relief to have finally secured a berth in the top seven with one game remaining.
“It’s a nice feeling to get in the play-offs because a lot of hard work has gone in by everyone at club,” he said.
“The run we’ve been on at the moment is magnificent by the players and the staff and we fully deserve it.
“We’ve not crept in the playoffs via the back door, we’ve really forged ahead and we’ve stuck to our guns and got in there with our energy and quality. It’s nice to be in there and we’ve two big games to come.
“We’ve got to keep our focus and concentration. This game against the opposition was a scrappy game.
“It was important we stayed in the game and stayed focused.”
The match was a pretty even affair for the most part, with both sides having plenty of opportunities to snatch all three points.
In the first period, Lee Minshull rattled the post for Newport, with goalkeeper Nick Pope well beaten. At the other end, Adam Reed had a couple of chances to nudge York in front, but keeper Ian McLoughlin was on hand to deny the midfielder on both occasions with some fantastic saves.
The game looked like it was going to peter out into a draw late in the second period, before a moment of magic from York ensured their unbeaten run would continue, as he bent a fantastic free-kick around McLoughlin to secure the points.
Amazingly, the Minstermen have now kept fourteen clean sheets from their last sixteen League Two outings.
But the defeat leaves Newport languishing in 15th place on the League Two ladder, and boss Justin Edinburgh cut was disappointed with the result. “We were worthy of getting something from the game; we’ve come to a tough place and a team that are on the up, but we're disappointed to have not come away with at least a draw,” he said.
“In general play it was a good game, we were very competitive but there have been so many times this season that we’ve lost by the odd goal.
“That becomes frustrating, because I can’t fault the effort or the commitment from the lads, we passed the ball well.”