Ingham holds firm after Barrett strikes

Neil Barrett’s fourth goal of the campaign made it successive away victories for York City as they strengthened their play-off hopes at Kidderminster Harriers.

Midfielder Barrett has made a habit of netting vital goals this season, and he added to his earlier strikes at Luton, Stoke and Cambridge midway through the second-half.

Recent signing Jamie Clarke provided the inspiration down the right and his eventual cross was hooked in by Barrett six-yards out.

However, York were then indebted to a number of fine stops from their former Northern Ireland international goalkeeper Michael Ingham.

The Minstermen’s stand-in skipper kept out efforts from Lee Matthews (twice) and Chris McPhee in rapid succession as the home side searched desperately for an equaliser.

Kidderminster left-back Lee Baker had always looked their most likely player to create during the first-half with a number of progressive runs and inviting crosses

But on loan striker James Lawrie and the always dangerous Matthews spurned their opportunities, while Tom Sharpe also headed a Darryl Knights corner wide.

York weren’t appearing particularly menacing in attack themselves until five minutes into the second period, when Richard Brodie crossed towards the far post and found recent signing Paul Harsley, whose attempted finish was turned aside by on loan goalkeeper Ross Atkins.

Even so the travelling fans’ hopes of an eighth away league victory this term were suddenly heightened when Barrett lifted his finish over Atkins on 67 minutes.

After that it just appeared a case of whether or not the visitors could hold out, as indeed they had done at Mansfield just seven days earlier.

And once again they proved equal to the task, and were in turn rewarded with fourth place in the table and the increased prospect of potential end-of-season glory.

Kidderminster Harriers: Atkins, Courtney, Sharpe, Riley, Baker, McPhee, Bennett (Byrne 64), Smikle, Knights (Boyes 77), Matthews, Lawrie (Goodfellow 64)

subs (unused): Singh, Caines.

York City: Ingham, Purkiss, Graham, Sangare, Meredith, Harsley, Barrett, Clarke, Pitt (Smith 74), Gash (Rankine 78), Brodie

subs (unused): McGurk, Parslow, Pacquette

Goals: Barrett (67)

Ref: A. Hendley (West Midlands)

Att: 1,127 (135 York)