Holders York City are through to the first round proper of the FA Trophy with a 3-1 victory against Evo-Stik Premier side Coalville Town at Bootham Crescent.
Recent signing Gary Martin’s first goal for the club and a couple of Jon Parkin penalties after the interval were only replied to by Daniel Creaney.
Manager Martin Gray earlier made two changes with recalled duo David Ferguson and Amari Morgan-Smith replacing Alex Whittle and Aidan Connolly, both of whom switched to the bench.
Leading goalscorer Parkin initially headed over a Daniel Rowe corner before then directing a 25-yard free-kick into an advancing defensive wall, while Morgan-Smith volleyed a decent opportunity too high after Ferguson’s whipped delivery towards the far post.
Parkin also badly miskicked from Josh Law’s cross, with Creaney similarly guilty at the other end following Adriano Moke carelessly surrendering possession.
Home striker Martin then looped a header over from another Rowe cross, while keeper Matt Coton later blocked with his legs from Morgan-Smith after linking with Sean Newton.
Right-back Law’s next effort was soon deflected behind for a corner before Newton called Coton into further action at his near post; although the visitors suddenly went close when fifteen-goal Nathan Watson evaded Hamza Bencherif and clipped the top of the crossbar.
Coalville also forced three corners in quick succession before chief danger-man Parkin’s free-kick deflected through to Coton.
However, favourites York still went in front just ahead of the break with Martin expertly curling into the far corner after linking with Parkin on the edge of the area.
The Minstermen were attacking towards their favoured home end upon the restart. But it was Tom McGlinchey immediately flashing a shot inches wide, while moments later Kyle Dixon despatched another effort narrowly off-target from the edge of the area.
Skipper Newton’s speculative reply was only wayward and Daniel Parslow’s header from Rowe’s free-kick absolutely no threat to Coton, before Connolly replaced Moke.
But York were awarded a penalty when the cautioned Dixon handled Newton’s cross and Parkin converted from the spot despite the best efforts of keeper Coton.
Earlier goalscorer Martin was soon replaced by James Gray, while Connolly struck wide as Morgan-Smith attempted to turn the ball towards goal. Fellow replacement Gray also saw an effort blocked by Coton at his near post.
Morgan-Smith next had a strike charged down, while Watson’s free-kick drifted harmlessly through to Adam Bartlett, whose opposite number Coton claimed a Morgan-Smith header from Connolly’s cross.
The hosts were then given a second penalty when Gray was brought down inside the area by Dean Freeman and Parkin smashed his sixteenth goal of the campaign high into the net,
But their opponents were shockingly rewarded within sixty seconds as Creaney took advantage of slack defensive work through the middle to instantly reply for the lower-ranked outfit.
Two-goal Parkin duly responded with another attempt wide and then delivered a free-kick straight at Coton, who also thwarted Parkin [again] and Connolly in rapid succession before Creaney threatened once more at the other end.
York City: Bartlett, Law, Parslow, Bencherif, Ferguson, Rowe, Moke (Connolly 56), Newton, Morgan-Smith, Parkin, Martin (Gray 64)
subs (unused): Whittle, Walton, Muggleton
Goals: Martin (44), Parkin (pen 63, pen 77)
Coalville Town: Coton, Taylor, Torr, Jenno, Freeman, Towers, McGlinchey (Hollis 70), Dixon (Howes 70), Creaney, Watson, Anderson (Bassett 74)
subs (unused): Bryant, Hannis
Goals: Creaney (78)
Ref: P. Brown
Att: 1,001 (104 Coalville)
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