Saints spurned an early opportunity as Jaanai Gordon was foiled by Pete Jameson but the home side made the break-through on 27 minutes through James Armson. Glenn Walker’s corner kick found Armson unmarked and his well directed header beat Jameson.

“It was big win for us against a good team,” said Brackley’s Kevin Wilkin. ”We knew it would be a really tough game for us and we’d need to be focused and concentrated. Fortunately we’ve come through with the three points. It’s a well worked corner, the ball is in the air for a long time and to guide the ball in the way he did is a fantastic skill. It gave us that platform from which to try to build. We had to make some enforced changes but the players off the bench have acquitted themselves well.”

Shep Murombedzi’s low shot was kept out by the keeper’s legs before York produced a moment of danger late in the half as Lenell John-Lewis reached the by-line bringing a double save from Danny Lewis.
The Minstermen’s defence allowed a carbon copy opportunity for Saints to double the lead as another corner picked our Connor Franklin in space but this time Jameson saved. Murombedzi saw his fierce effort well saved at the near post before Jaanai Gordon’s effort brought a terrific one handed save.

Armson was close to repeating his opening goal as he won the aerial battle only to head narrowly over.

York enjoyed periods of possession without creating clear cut chances but the Brackley defence had to be on their mettle to defend the lead. The closest the visitors came to an equaliser was from Scott Barrow’s fine cross that just evaded an attacking head late on.

“It was frustrating,” said York manager John Askey. “I am obviously disappointed with the goal we conceded from a corner allowing their man to get free and then it nearly happened again in the second half. It’s something we need to make sure doesn’t happen again. Lots of games rely on set pieces. We need to be better in both boxes. It’s still in our own hands but we’ve got to make sure it happens and we start winning games.”

Brackley Town: Lewis, Richards (York 46), Franklin (Prosser 72), Murombedzi, Lomas, Dean, Lowe, Armson, Ndlovu, Gordon (Myles 80), Walker. Subs unused: Yusuf, Lopes.

Gateshead: Jameson, Barrow, Brown, McLaughlin, Dyson, Willoughby, Kouogun, Kouhyar, Wright, John-Lewis, Mackay (Donaldson 63). Subs unused: Longdon, Campbell, Sanders, James.

Referee: Ben Wyatt Assistants: Simon Kavanagh and Josh Brookland

Attendance: 960