Substitute Michael Rankine stepped off the bench to fire York City to their first win of the season after a well-deserved 3-0 triumph over Altrincham at Bootham Crescent.

The Minstermen had already been frustrated for more than an hour by the time Rankine seized upon a clever lay-off from Michael Gash and drove an excellent left-footed finish into the bottom corner.

Five minutes later York increased their advantage when Richard Brodie was brought down inside the area after robbing former Rotherham United defender Marc Joseph. Brodie then kept his nerve from the penalty spot to claim his first goal of the season.

With their confidence now clearly returning the home side continued to press forward and were rewarded with a third goal deep into stoppage time. This time Rankine (right) collected Brodie's pass and turned sharply before firing inside Stuart Coburn's near post from eight-yards.

York actually recovered from a rather slow start that witnessed Matt Crowell testing Michael Ingham from long distance and Robbie Williams having a couple of early headers gathered by the former Northern Ireland international.

But a terrific burst from Gash midway through the opening half lifted the home side as he surged past several opponents and drilled over the crossbar. Alex Lawless then had a shot partially charged down before Brodie was denied by an offside decision as he found the net from the rebound.

For their part Altrincham weren't offering much in reply, although they should have done better when Joseph wasted an opportunity after a corner had been dangerously flashed across the home area.

However, Lawless soon went even closer for the hosts when his wind assisted free-kick smacked against the angle of post and crossbar, while the impressive Gash also shot wide after more enterprising  work from full debutant Peter Till.
 
York's robust defender Djoumin Sangare soon indicated there would be no let up for the visitors after the break when surging forward and shooting wide.

However, it took the introduction of Rankine for the limping Chris Carruthers just before the hour to really make the difference, and he soon allowed Brodie to glance a near post effort wide before himself breaking the deadlock with twenty minutes remaining following superb work from Gash.

Brodie rapidly added another from the penalty spot and after Gash had then almost made it three when diverting a firm Rankine cross wide, it was appropriately Rankine who finally wrapped up proceedings with a sharp turn and finish during added time.