Danny Pilkington celebrated only his second start of the season by helping York City towards a first win in four games at Bootham Crescent.

Ex-Stockport County winger Pilkington scored from a deflected strike on four minutes and fellow midfielder Patrick McLaughlin later added another as the hosts reclaimed fourth place in the table.

Conal Platt lifted an early chance over for the visitors before Pilkington [far right] took advantage of Jon Challinor's good run to earn his side the lead.

The recalled Jamie Reed soon went close to a second with a low header from Matty Blair's cross before a long clearance by York goalkeeper Michael Ingham caught the wind and was hastily turned over by his opposite number Paul Farman, with the ball then being blocked on the line from the subsequent corner.

Former Tamworth striker Kyle Perry had an effort deflect through to Ingham at the opposite end before Ashley Chambers sliced wide after the restart and Pilkington once more caused panic for Farman with a high swirling cross.

York extended their lead on 56 minutes with McLaughlin again showing his finishing prowess to find the bottom corner and his seventh goal of the campaign after fine work from Blair.

Chambers later went close to a third when chipping against the crossbar as Reed sent Pilkington through until being forced wide by the keeper.

Alan Power then drove straight at Ingham for the visitors in added time but the contest was by then already decided in favour of the home side.