Minstermen suffer Boxing Day knockout

York City collapsed badly during a three-minute spell late in the second-half as Chesterfield gave their biggest crowd of the season a flattering 3-0 victory at the Proact Stadium.

The Minstermen appeared well in control during the first period until Spireites' defender Drew Talbot scored against the run of play from ex-Arsenal youngster Mark Randall's free-kick immediately after the restart.

Moments later the visitors had loud penalty claims denied and their opponents took maximum advantage when substitute Danny Whitaker and Tendayi Darikwa both netted in quick succession.

There was a sizeable away following exceeding more than a thousand supporters in the lashing bank-holiday rain as their side looked to build upon their big recent win against Bristol Rovers.

Chesterfield were coming into the contest on the back of a comprehensive defeat at Southend United and it soon required a timely clearance from their skipper Sam Hird to deny the arriving Patrick McLaughlin after Alex Rodman had laid across a Jason Walker pass.

Former Northern Ireland international Michael Ingham immediately had to parry a James O'Shea drive in reply before also turning behind a dangerous Randall free-kick.

But this visitors were again showing themselves capable in possession and their captain Chris Smith headed wide a Matty Blair cross when a whipped Michael Potts free-kick was only partially cleared.

Home keeper Tommy Lee was soon forced to save a low shot from Potts, who then scuffed wide from Rodman's pass following fine work by McLaughlin.

Chesterfield's Sam Togwell saw an effort charged down in reply and Luis Boa Morte proved wayward until Blair sliced wide at the other end.

But York had an awful start at the beginning of the second-half with Talbot instantly poking in another inviting Randall free-kick. The Minstermen then had loud penalty claims denied when Walker appeared to be held inside the area.

Excellent footwork from McLaughlin ended with Daniel Parslow badly scuffing his attempt as the visitors pressed for an equaliser, although they recovered well when former Portuguese international Boa-Morte threatened to break clear.

However, York were caught again as home substitute Whitaker scored with his first touch after a Randall free-kick from the edge of the area was only initially cleared.

Two minutes later the visitors were once more exposed with Darikwa slotting into an empty net - with an invasion onto the pitch by a solitary York fan simply expressing frustration at events.

Blair next curled over in reply and Jamal Fyfield drilled only narrowly wide. But by then the issue was already long-since settled despite McLaughlin having a last-minute shot tipped over and Chris Smith heading against the underside of the crossbar.

Chesterfield: Lee, N. Smith, Hird, Talbot, Cooper, Togwell, Darwikwa, Randall (Clay 61), Townsend (Whitaker 74), O'Shea, Boa Morte (Dickenson 84)

subs (unused): O'Donnell, Trotman, Boden, Wafula

Goals: Talbot (46), Whitaker (75), Darwikwa (77)

York City: Ingham, Parslow, C. Smith, Doig (Allan 78), Fyfield, Kerr, Potts (Oyebanjo 78), McLaughlin, Blair, Walker, Rodman (Reed 66)

subs (unused): Musselwhite, McGurk, Bullock, J. Smith

Ref: C. Sarginson (Staffordshire)

Att: 7,322 (1,052 York)

* YORK CITY FC * PLAY-OFF WINNERS 2012 * FA TROPHY WINNERS 2012 * YORK CITY FC * PLAY-OFF WINNERS 2012 * FA TROPHY WINNERS 2012 * YORK CITY FC * PLAY-OFF WINNERS 2012 * FA TROPHY WINNERS 2012 * YORK CITY FC * PLAY-OFF WINNERS 2012 * FA TROPHY WINNERS 2012 *

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