Highwaymen edged out by Minstermen
YORK CITY 3 MORPETH TOWN 2
MORPETH Town came agonisingly close to more FA Trophy glory before losing 3-2 to York City at the LNER Community Stadium.
The Highwaymen were heroic in defeat, after taking a 2-0 lead at their National League North opponents, with Andrew Johnson and Ryan Donaldson scoring.
However, York piled on the pressure and scored twice through Mitch Hancox before Matty Brown netted in the 89th minute to break Morpeth hearts and their resistance.
The first half was a more low-key as City struggled to break down the visitors, who were comfortable for long spells. Indeed, that was the case until Johnson slotted home in the 26th minute.
The winger ghosted down the left flank before stepping into the area. With Michael Duckworth in full retreat, Johnson fizzed a low curling effort into the far corner, much to the delight of the 455 travelling supporters, for his 16th goal of the season.
Heading into the interval with the advantage, bizarre off-field behaviour, which started with tennis balls being thrown on the pitch during the game, escalated into approximately 100 fans migrating to in front of the directors’ box to protest about the running of the club.
Back on the pitch, the Highwaymen came under pressure almost immediately from their hosts, with York keen to find a leveller. What happened was Town added to their advantage in the 65th minute through Donaldson.
Fine play from Connor Oliver to dance away from a couple of challenges
and then throw himself into a 50-50 challenge, which he won, released Jack Foalle down the right. He then hung up a delivery to the back post where Donaldson stooped to head home.
This was the signal for a Minstermen onslaught as they poured forward in search of a foothold in the game. It duly arrived in the 70th minute when Hancox found the back of the net for his first of the afternoon after Kurt Willoughby’s in-swinging delivery hit the inside and rolled across the box for Hancox.
With Morpeth now seeking to resist, it took eight more minutes for the equaliser to arrive. Hancox was the man again to slot home from close range to restore parity.
With York now sensing a decisive winner, and the time ticking to penalties, a free-kick was awarded on the edge of the box in the last minute of the 90. It was swung in and Brown rose highest to nod it into the back of the net and send the home crowd delirious.
A brave Morpeth Town display was dramatic until the end, aptly summing up their FA Trophy campaign which, although coming to an end at the fifth round stage, was full of drama and excitement to the end.
YORK CITY: Jameson, Duckworth, Greaves (Longdon), Brown, Barrow, Dyson, Wright, Mclaughlin, Jarvis (Willoughby), Donaldson, Hancox Subs: Campbell, Haase, Woods
MORPETH TOWN: Lowson, Forster, Phillips, Oliver (Finnigan), J Henderson, Turner, Foalle (Walton), Noble, L Henderson, Johnson (Ramsey) Subs: Anderson, Taylor