Match Report: York City 0-2 Southend United

Southend took all three points at the LNER Community Stadium, their success coming from set-pieces either side of half-time.

Southend took all three points at the LNER Community Stadium, their success coming from set-pieces either side of half-time.

A match-up between two good defensive outfits started in Southend's advantage, with Gus Scott-Morriss heading home from a corner on just six minutes.

It was another corner that saw the visitors go 2-0 up, that time Shaun Hobson with the header midway into the second half.

York City fielded an unchanged squad from their draw with Chesterfield in midweek, whilst the visitors, Southend, made a single change from their thrashing of Maidstone, with Harry Taylor forcing Wes Fonguck to the bench.

Only six minutes were on the clock when the Shrimpers sparked jubilant celebrations amongst the loyal travelling fans - Cav Miley's corner was latched onto by the run of Gus Scott-Morriss, and his glancing header found the bottom corner, giving the away side an early lead.

The opener was all that was needed to give York a wake-up call, with a super volley from Luke James gliding just past Collin Andeng Ndi's left-hand post.

City continued the first half on the front foot, but they could only conjure up a few half-chances, and a forced change wasn't in their favour either, as star striker Lenell John-Lewis was replaced by Manny Duku.

12 minutes short of the interval, Southend tested 'keeper Ethan Ross - Jack Bridge broke through at an angle, but his deflected effort was turned away by the shot-stopper. Then, two minutes late, the ball fell to Chris Wreh in the box, who spun and fired in a shot surely destined for goal, however he could only strike over the bar.

Despite ending the first 45 a goal down, the Minstermen began the second period well, but their constant pressure had no reward. The closest they came in the opening stages was a cross-shot from Olly Dyson, nearly catching the 'keeper out as it bounced back off the post.

However, things soon got worse for City, as another corner from Shrimpers captain Miley found the head of free runner Shaun Hobson, who made no mistake doubling the visitors' advantage.

In an attempt to cut the deficit, James swung in a ball for Duku, but the York striker just couldn't find the right connection to take it into the net, instead putting it inches over.

Entering the final ten minutes, Duku had another chance, directing the ball goalbound with the slightest of touches, but only denied by the hand of Andeng Ndi, before substitute Nathan Thomas forced the stopper into a low save, with a swinging shot from the right.

The Minstermen endangered the Southend goal a couple of times towards the end of the ninety, though it was nothing that United couldn't deal with, as they managed to hold onto a ninth clean sheet, their third consecutive one.

York City: Ross, Fallowfield, Kouogun, Sanders, Whittle, Pybus (Hancox 64’), Dyson, Mafuta, Kouhyar, John-Lewis (C) (Duku 25’), L.James (Thomas 75’)

Unused subs: Whitley, Kerr

Yellow cards: Sanders (17’)

Southend United: Andeng Ndi, Scott-Morriss, Hobson, Kensdale, Bridge, Husin, Powell (Hyde 53’, (Lomas 90’)), Taylor, Miley (C), Wreh (Fonguck 72’), Lopata

Unused subs: Murphy, Demetriou

Goals: Scott-Morriss (6’), Hobson (61’)

Yellow cards: Miley (56’), Kensdale (88’), Andeng Ndi (90’)

Referee: Paul Marsden

Attendance: 4,915 (672 away)

Man of the Match: Luke James