Greg Young scored on his debut but it wasn't enough to save York City from defeat against newcomers Fleetwood Town following a dismal performance at the Highbury Stadium.

The former Altrincham defender was one of three changes made by the visitors as manager Martin Foyle also recalled Michael Rankine after his two goals at the weekend and Jonathan Smith.

But his side made the worst possible start when falling behind as early as the seventh minute after Shaun Beeley's cross from the right was easily headed in at the far post by ex-Kettering Town striker Gareth Seddon.

Fleetwood soon threatened to add to their lead when Jamie McGuire swept another attempt wide before former Huddersfield Town midfielder Ian Craney was even closer with a left-footed shot following a sharp interchange on the edge of the area.

The Minstermen continued to labour to little effect in comparison, with restored pair Rankine and Smith both having tame efforts before Smith finally drove wide after being found by Alex Lawless just before the break.

However, they should have fallen further behind at the start of the second-half when Magno Vieira missed from close-range following the second of two early corners.

York keeper Michael Ingham then saved from Wayne Curtis at his near post before being left totally exposed after James Meredith had badly misjudged a backpass on 83 minutes and Vieira nipped it to gleefully accept the gift.

The visitors did manage a reply four minutes later when Young, who had been pushed forward into attack, glanced in a header from Lawless' free-kick.

And York's debutant defender almost claimed a dramatic equaliser sixty seconds later when his 25-yard shot flew narrowly wide, although that would have been hard on Fleetwood who were comfortably the better side throughout.

Gareth Seddon (left) heads Fleetwood into an early lead as York City suffered their second defeat of the season at the Highbury Stadium