York City 2, Rushden 0

Saturday’s comfortable 2-0 victory over Rushden and Diamonds means the Minstermen are yet to lose a game at KitKat Crescent after completing eight fixtures in front of their own supporters.

That sequence is the best since 1992 when, 16 years ago, John Ward’s men went 14 matches unbeaten before going down 1-0 to February 13 visitors Walsall.

A matter of weeks later, Alan Little took over the reins from Ward and, by the end of May, was celebrating a play-off final victory against Crewe under the Twin Towers.

City’s hopes of a return to the famous home of football this season looked forlorn a fortnight ago but back-to-back wins over Woking and Rushden have left Colin Walker’s men just five points adrift of a top-five spot, ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup programme.

The cornerstone of a sustained challenge in the league could yet lie with the team’s home form, which has been so patchy over the last two seasons.

Despite the unbeaten record, City have not impressed on their own pitch at all times this season but their triumph over pre-season promotion favourites Rushden was probably their most professional performance of 2008/9.

The visitors were limited to just one shot on target and even that effort saw Mark Robinson’s block take the sting out of right-back Curtis Osano’s 20-yard drive.

Rushden’s 65th-minute introduction of prolific non-League marksman Daryl Clare failed as well to trouble a City defence, who looked equally assured when Walker switched from a 3-5-2 formation to a flat back-four midway through the second half.

Garry Hill threw three players forward from the start with Lee Phillips and Lee Tomlin flanking Leon Knight, but City’s back three of Darren Kelly, Danny Parslow and David McGurk never looked overran, allowing wing-backs Ben Purkiss and Robinson the freedom to forage forward.

Robinson even popped up in the six-yard box to break the deadlock on 19 minutes with Craig Farrell doubling the lead early in the second half.

City dominated the first period, displaying confidence in possession with Purkiss and Peter Holmes, in particular, demonstrating an impressive range of passing.

Daniel McBreen went close twice during the early stages, dragging across the face of the goal from the edge of the box and firing into the side-netting after Phil Gulliver had failed to clear Holmes’ curling cross from the right.

The Minstermen soon took a deserved lead, however, when Purkiss released a hard-working Farrell down the right channel.

Farrell then crossed from the by-line and McBreen’s headed flick-on at the near post fell for a sliding Robinson, who netted from four yards.

Rushden failed to capitalise during their best spell of the game on the stroke of half-time and Farrell added a decisive second goal on 50 minutes.

The home side made good inroads down the right flank, resulting in Simon Rusk expertly picking out Farrell, whose controlled full volley nestled into Rushden goalkeeper Daryl Roberts’ bottom left-hand corner from eight yards out.

Michael Corcoran sent a flashing 25-yard drive narrowly wide moments later and Osano drove over from an angle, but Roberts also saved at Farrell’s feet and the Minstermen closed out the game in expert fashion.

Whether Walker’s side can challenge City’s class of 1970/71 and remain undefeated during their first 21 home games of the season remains to be seen.

York City 2 (Robinson 19, Farrell 50), Rushden 0

City: Michael Ingham 7, Ben Purkiss 8, Darren Kelly 8, Danny Parslow 8, David McGurk 8, Mark Robinson 8, Simon Rusk 7, Peter Holmes 8, Ben Wilkinson 7, Craig Farrell 8, Daniel McBreen 7.

Substitutions: Mark Greaves (for Kelly, 63, 7) Simon Russell (for Wilkinson, 63, 7) Richard Brodie (for Farrell, 87)

Subs not used: Mimms, Boyes.

Key: 10 – Faultless; 9 – Outstanding; 8 – Excellent; 7 – Good; 6 – Average; 5 – Below par; 4 – Poor; 3 – Dud; 2 – Hopeless; 1 – Retire.

City’s star man: Holmes – a classy and composed farewell appearance.

Rushden: Dale Roberts, Curtis Osano, Chris Hope, Phil Gulliver, Gareth Jelleyman, Michael Corcoran (Rob Woolleaston, 69), Curtis Woodhouse, Andy Burgess, Lee Phillips (Sam Smith, 77), Leon Knight, Lee Tomlin (Daryl Clare, 65).

Subs not used: Jake Beecroft, Marcus Kelly.

Yellow cards: Holmes 8, Wilkinson 60, Knight 82.

Shots on target: York 4 Rushden 1

Shots off target: York 3 Rushden 6

Corners: York 3 Rushden 5

Fouls conceded: York 12 Rushden 17

Offsides: York 1 Rushden 4

Referee: Stephen Martin (Stafford).

Rating: very good, confident decisions earned respect.

Attendance: 2,313 (122 from Rushden).

Pass of the match: A Holmes through ball that released Farrell only for Rushden defender Osano to make a fine recovery challenge.

Save of the match: Roberts’ alert charge off his line to deny Farrell.

City player watch: Daniel McBreen

Goal attempts on target: 0

Goal attempts off target: 2

Blocked goal attempts: 0

Passes to own player: 16

Passes to opposition: 2

Crosses to own player: 0

Crosses to opposition: 0

Pass completion rate: 88.9 per cent

Dribbles ball retained: 0

Dribbles ball lost: 1

Dribble completion rate: 0 per cent

Headers: 15

Tackles: 5

Clearances, blocks and interceptions: 2

Fouls won: 3

Fouls conceded: 2

Offsides: 1

Yellow cards: 0

Final summary: Enjoyed a decent display in attack although he did not threaten the visitors’ goal again after two early off-target chances. Often penalised by referees, he won more free-kicks than he conceded and also used the ball sensibly.