York City U19s lost out narrowly away at Chester on Wednesday afternoon, bringing an end to their three-game unbeaten run.
New signing Elvis Hall took up a place on the bench, while Ed Campbell-Baldwin made his first start, with usual starters dropping out after gaining minutes elsewhere out on loan.
Ben Farrar, another incoming change, struck the post from a tight angle inside the opening five minutes.
The first half was sparse in terms of clear-cut chances, and it took until the 17th minute for Chester to register a shot, forcing Cam White into a simple stop at his near post.
On the half-hour mark, Farrar managed to escape his marker and go through on goal, only to be brought down in the box, leading to a penalty.
Sutton Greening stepped up and shot low towards the ‘keeper’s right, but his effort was saved.
Farrar was at the centre of the action again shortly after, sending a driven cross into the box for Campbell-Baldwin, who could only flash one over the bar.
The hosts tried an adventurous effort close to half-time, which was easily held by White.
It was early in the second half when the game sprang into life.
Four minutes in, the Seals took the lead. A corner was punched clear only as far as a blue shirt on the edge of the area, and after a blocked effort was kept in at the byline, the pull-back into the mixer was turned home at the second attempt.
Chester nearly doubled their advantage moments later. A home forward bore down on goal before releasing a tame shot straight at the City ‘keeper.
Then, in the 57th minute, Farrar pulled the Minstermen level. Michael Kydd intercepted and launched the ball forward, which was picked up by Greening, who slid it through to the striker. Farrar beat his defender for pace and coolly slotted past the ‘keeper to make it 1-1.
However, just three minutes later, Chester regained the lead. A long throw from the right caused problems in the box, allowing the hosts’ number eight to smash home a loose ball.
It was almost three when White was called into action again, producing a strong save to parry a half-volley from the edge of the area behind.
Still behind, Farrar was looking to orchestrate a late equaliser. His initial effort was blocked before he laid the ball off to Kydd, whose strike flew wide of the target.
White was again required at the other end, making another excellent save from close range to keep City in the contest.
Despite a few half-chances in the closing stages, the Minstermen were unable to find an equaliser, falling to defeat for the first time in almost a month.
York City: White, Kydd, Beadle, Belleh ©, Newall, Russell, Campbell-Baldwin (Hewson 57’), Stiver (Hall 82’), Farrar, Greening (Roberts 57’), Binns.
Sub not used: Zubrickas.
