ACCRINGTON Stanley became York City’s first victims of 2014/15 at Bootham Crescent as the League Two strugglers beat John Coleman’s team 1-0.

Russ Wilcox’s men had been without a home win all season and within one game of breaking a club record but broke their duck in the penultimate game of the year, despite being reduced to 10 men in the second half.

Stanley started brightly with Lee Molyneux shooting straight at home goalkeeper Alex Cisak inside the opening five minutes on his return to the line-up, before Tom Aldred headed his free kick over.

York were a big threat on the counter though and created their first good chance from a Stanley corner. A multiple player breakaway presented Diego De Girolamo with a chance inside the box but he blazed over when well placed.

With Jack Rose still injured, Luke Simpson was again given the nod in the Stanley goal and was called into action for the first time on 12 minutes, turning Bradley Halliday’s good effort around the post.

Matt Crooks was one of three Stanley player restored to the starting 11 and was the first to really test Ciask, racing into the area before seeing his low strike pushed out by the keeper, who is on loan from Burnley.

York’s proficiency on the break continued to be a problem though and Simpson was again called upon to save from Jake Hyde’s deflected shot before Aldred scrambled the ball out from beneath his own crossbar.

Soon the Reds were behind. Nicky Hunt was unhappy to be penalised in the right back position but the hosts made it count, with Michael Coulson delivering the free kick onto the head of Keith Lowe at the far post.

The veteran made no mistake, beating Simpson to make it 1-0. After the restart Stanley attempted to respond, with Atkinson heading straight at Cisak but Simpson was required again to stop Coulson at the other end.

York seemed relatively comfortable but gave themselves a bigger task when Halliday seemed to go over the top of the ball stretching for a challenge with Aldred and referee Darren Bond showed an immediate red card.

Stanley tried to make their numerical advantage tell and Cisak had to thrust out a leg to keep out a deflected Molyneux free kick but the Minstermen continued to provide a threat, with Simpson saving well from Wes Fletcher.

Substitute Shay McCartan tested Cisak but it was a routine take for the former Reds keeper. John Coleman made all three of his changes as he looked to get his team level but Josh Windass fired wide soon after stepping off the bench. With less than 10 minutes to go McCartan went down in the box under Femi Ilesanmi’s challenge, but there was no penalty.

As time wore thin Stanley’s urgency increased, with Cisak clawing a Molyneux cross behind for a corner. Luke Joyce then delivered to Molyneux outside the box and his rasper beat the keeper but flicked the outside of the post.

Stanley's frustrations grew as stoppage time loomed, with McCartan again going over in the box before Lowe appeared to block a Windass shot with an arm.

Seven added minutes brought renewed hope but no clear chances as York held on to end their wait for a win.