Match Report sponsored by Northumbria Print

It was last minute heartbreak for Morpeth at the LNER Community Stadium on Saturday as York City fought back to win 3-2 writes Sam Donovan. 

Andrew Johnson and Ryan Donaldson had put Morpeth into a two goal lead but the home side hit back with a brace from Mitch Hancox before captain Matty Brown scored the winner in the 89th minute. 

Morpeth were roared on by a tremendous away following of 455 fans who were moments away from seeing their side taking York to penalties. 

The Minstermen started the game well and it was Paddy McLaughlin who was the driving force, he had an early effort that sailed wide of the post before he carried the ball forward and was denied by Dan Lowson who made a good save down to his right. 

York had a great opportunity to take the lead on 20 minutes. Olly Dyson collected the ball in the area and he chopped inside of Wayne Phillips but his effort was straight at Lowson. 

Morpeth gradually grew into the game and Micky Turner saw a header from a corner clear the bar after 25 minutes. 

It was just a minute when Morpeth took the lead and it was through Andrew Johnson who registered his 16th of the season. He collected the ball on the left of the box and drove at Michael Duckworth before bending a low effort into the far corner. 

York tried to find a way back into the game and Mitch Hancox had an effort on the stretch that cleared the bar as they tried to hit back immediately. 

The next opportunity fell the way of Clayton Donaldson with the striker bringing a free kick down before shooting on the turn but it went comfortably wide of the post. 

The second half followed the same pattern as the first with York looking to get on the front foot and forced Morpeth back into their own defensive third. 

City were on top and Jeff Henderson got his head in the way of a effort from Dyson which saw the ball go behind for a corner. Phillips was again alert to head a looping effort off the line as York pressed.

Morpeth weathered the storm and went two goals ahead on 65 minutes with Jack Foalle crossing to the far post where Ryan Donaldson met the ball and forced his header home at the near post to send the travelling support into delirium. 

Once again, York should have scored within seconds of kicking off. A long ball over the top released Dyson who sped clear of the defence but he was deny by a stunning save from Lowson. Turner was on hand to clear up the loose ball as well. 

York did pull a goal back on 70 minutes as substitute Kurt Willoughby who had tormented Morpeth in the FA Cup replay saw his inswinging cross come back off the post and give Hancox the simple job of tapping home on the line. 

The goal gave York hope and they were piling bodies forward in search of an equaliser. The leveller came on 78 minutes as Hancox reacted first to a ball across the box from Akil Wright after Lowson had made an initial save. 

On 79 minutes, Morpeth had the crossbar to thank as Dyson was allowed to come forward and he let fly with a dipping effort that clattered off the bar. 

York won the game in the 89th minute as a free kick from Dyson was dinked into the area and captain Matty Brown rose highest to head home to give York the win. 

Morpeth deserve huge credit for pushing a full time side to the final whistle and for giving a battling performance that pushed York to their limits. 

The Highwaymen are back in action at Craik Park on Saturday 19th February when they host Hyde United. 

York City: Jameson, Duckworth, Barrow, Brown (c), McLaughlin, Dyson, Donaldson, Greaves (Longdon, 68’), Jarvis (Willoughby, 68’), Wright, Hancox. 

Subs not Used: Woods, Haase, Campbell. 

Goals: Hancox 70’, 78’, Brown 89’.

Morpeth Town: Lowson, Forster, Phillips, Oliver (Finnigan, 90’), J. Henderson (c), Turner, Foalle (Walton, 71’), Noble, L. Henderson, Oliver, Johnson (Ramsay, 83’).

Subs not Used: Taylor, Anderson.

Goals: Johnson 26’, Donaldson 65’.