A SENSATIONAL second-half turnaround saw York City defeat the Vanarama National League champions Chesterfield 2-1.

A goal and an assist from Dipo Akinyemi contributed to York’s third consecutive win under Adam Hinshelwood, whose side are now in 16th position and five points clear of the drop zone.

Joe Quigley put the visitors ahead with a sixth minute strike from close-range, before Maz Kouhyar drew City level with an outstanding curling strike.

But an incredible solo run was capped off by Akinyemi, sliding the ball into the bottom right corner to beat Ryan Boot.

Chesterfield had already claimed the title prior to the fixture, after a comfortable 3-0 victory over Boreham Wood last weekend meant that the Spireites would return to the EFL for next season.

Hinshelwood elected to make one change from York’s 2-0 victory over Bromley last weekend, with defender Will Smith taking a knock to the knee.

Callum Howe came in to replace the defender after recovering from illness, whilst striker Sam Fishburn made his debut from the bench as a first-half substitute.

Chesterfield had celebrated the title last weekend and many would be hoping that their celebrations would force manager Paul Cook into multiple changes, but it was still a strong eleven that the Spireites boss put out.

Ryan Boot, Ollie Banks, James Berry and Darren Oldaker came into the starting eleven, with Will Grigg and Ryan Colclough missing out through injuries.

Amongst the substitutes for the visitors was youngster Connor Cook, son of manager Paul.

Despite Chesterfield not having much to play for now that their title has been wrapped up, it was the Spireites who started the clash the stronger of the two.

Dipo Akinyemi did have the ball in the back of the net with a finish similar to his one at Bromley last weekend, but the offside flag ruled out a potential opener.

That would come six minutes in, with Chesterfield capping off a lovely move with Jeff King’s low cross being tucked home at the back post by Quigley, putting the Spireites ahead.

Banks had an opportunity to double the lead when racing into space on the right-wing, but his strike was charged down by Danny Amos.

York were looking to hit the champions on the counter-attack as Maz Kouhyar saw an effort cut out by Jamie Grimes, before Latty-Fairweather’s low cross was cut out by the partnering Chesterfield centre-halve, Ash Palmer.

Rory Watson had impressed for City in recent weeks and was again involved, parrying a powerful effort from James Berry into the path of Callum Howe, who scrambled clear. Claims of handball were ignored by referee Elliot Bell.

Watson again was called into action, with Tom Naylor’s looping cross finding an unmarked Quigely five-yards from goal, but the striker was denied a brace by the City shot-stopper.

Chesterfield boss Cook was shown a yellow card for his persistent complaints to the referee, before Akinyemi saw a low strike bobble well wide of the target.

Kouhyar soon saw an effort blocked by Palmer, before Watson again kept Chesterfield out with an impressive stop to push Armando Dobra’s effort away from goal

But York would be hit with another blow on the verge of the half-time whistle, with a concerning injury sustained by Latty-Fairweather in the 44th minute, seeing an additional 11 minutes added on with the City defender leaving the field on a stretcher.

Fishburn was Latty-Fairweather’s replacement, moving into the striker position with Akinyemi switching to the wing, Billy Chadwick to midfield and Dan Batty to an unfamiliar right-back position.

York had lost a key man in the first-half and headed into the break a goal down, but it didn’t stop a remarkable effort from Hinshelwood’s side.

Chadwick, now playing centrally, saw a strike towards the Chesterfield near post pushed wide by Boot, before Quigley was denied by a Fallowfield block.

Watson then ensured that the Spireites didn’t double their advantage, with a fantastic stop to parry Dobra’s powerful strike away from goal.

And that save would prove absolutely pivotal for Hinshelwood’s side, inspiring City into an equaliser.

Some determination from Hunt in the middle of the pitch saw the midfielder win back possession and find Akinyemi, who quickly opened up his body to slide Kouhyar in behind.

Kouhyar made no mistake in curling an unstoppable effort into the top right corner, drawing the Minstermen level.

Watson kept out another Dobra volley, before York took the lead against the National League champions.

Akinyemi capped off an outstanding performance, bursting down the left-hand side before cutting inside of Grimes and hammering a low effort into Boot’s bottom right corner, putting City ahead.

York had to hold off late pressure from the Spireites, but a tremendous effort from everyone saw Hinshelwood's side maintain their three points, rising to a 16th in the National League table. 

YORK CITY: Watson 8, Latty-Fairweather 6 (Fishburn 6, 45+10), Fallowfield 7, Howe 7, Amos 7, Batty 8, Armstrong 7, Hunt 8, Kouhyar 8 (John-Lewis, 82), Akinyemi 9, Chadwick 7 (McLaughlin, 82)

Subs not used: Sykes-Kenworthy, Siziba

Goals: Kouhyar (54), Akinyemi (72)

Yellow cards: Hunt (65)

CHESTERFIELD: Boot, King, Palmer, Grimes, Horton (Mandeville, 81), Naylor, Banks (Hobson, 86), Berry, Dobra, Oldaker, Quigley

Subs not used:  Harley, Jones, Cook

Goals: Quigley (6)

Yellow cards: P. Cook [Manager] (24), Naylor (66), Grimes (69)

York’s star man: Dipo Akinyemi. He showed up when York needed him, a goal and an assist to carry City to victory.

Referee: Elliot Bell

Attendance: 7571 (2185)

Shots (on target): 2 (3)| 3 (7)

Corners:  0 | 3

Offsides: 5 | 4

Fouls committed: 7 | 11