York City secured a place in the FA Cup first round proper with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Zamaretto League First Division Midlands strugglers Bedworth United in a rather low-key contest at KitKat Crescent.

First-half goals from Michael Rankine and leading scorer Richard Brodie proved sufficient to routinely see-off the challenge of their lower ranked opponents. However, York keeper Michael Ingham was called upon to save a 30th minute penalty from Jason Moore.

Rankine eased any early nerves for the home side when claiming his third goal of the season with a fine individual effort on eight minutes, cutting inside from the left-hand touchline and holding off an opponent before driving home from a narrow angle.

Midfielder Alex Lawless shot wide from long distance five minutes later before there was a delay midway through the opening period when home keeper Ingham appeared to be struck by an object thrown from the away fans situated immediately behind him.

His opposite number Bevan then raced out to clear ahead of the threat of Brodie before Adam Boyes drove too close to the keeper moments later. York were beginning to build up some momentum and a superb flowing move witnessed James Meredith laying off a Rankine flick for Brodie to have an effort scrambled
off the line and Boyes eventually sending the rebound wide.

But the visitors appeared to be handed a way back into the contest on the half-hour after being awarded a penalty following a challenge just inside the area. But Ingham easily clutched onto Moore's weak spot-kick before holding the ball in triumph towards the travelling fans.

The Minstermen went close to increasing their advantage two minutes later with Rankine heading against an upright following a corner, while Brodie soon rounded the keeper and saw his attempted finish blocked by the recovering Squire. Brodie then crossed for Rankine to head wide before the hosts added a second three minutes before the interval. Ben Purkiss provided the cross towards the far post, where the unmarked Brodie notched his eleventh goal of the season with a firm downward header.

Goalscorer Rankine almost forced in a Chris Carruthers cross early in the second period before Connolly shot wide of the near post and Ingham tipped over a Cummins header over at the opposite end. Brodie responded by heading another Carruthers delivery off-target before Adam Smith replaced Boyes just beyond the hour.

Brodie also had a right-footed attempt deflected wide from a David McGurk pull back eight minutes later, while Levi Mackin took over from Carruthers with seventeen minutes remaining. York keeper Ingham then had to save from distance five minutes later in what had proved a decidedly low-key second period. Andy Ferrell replaced Neil Barrett late on as the home side comfortably achieved their objective with a routine triumph.

York City: Ingham, Purkiss, Sangare, McGurk, Meredith, Boyes (Smith 61), Lawless, Barrett (Ferrell 86), Carruthers (Mackin 73), Rankine, Brodie

subs (unused): Mimms, Parslow, McWilliams, Nelthorpe

Goals: Rankine (8), Brodie (42)

Booked: Barrett (65)

Bedworth United: Bevan, Moran, Shilton (Petty 28), Squire, Cummins, Connolly, Blair, Lenton, Allen (Kabango 78), Robinson (Beard 55), Moore

subs (unused): Koriya, Edmond, Hill

Goals: none

Booked: Lenton (65), Allen (68)

Ref: C. Harwood (Greater Manchester)
   
Att: 1,869 (170 Bedworth)