York City's five-match unbeaten run in League Two came to a halt with a 3-1 defeat away to Barnet on Tuesday evening. The loss at The Hive leaves Scott Lindsey's side fifth in the league table, now eight points behind leaders Salford City. York sit 5th in League Two on 20 points after 12 games, with a record of five wins, five draws and two losses, and have scored 21 goals while conceding 13.
Arthur Read had given the visitors a 37th-minute lead, finishing from Joseph Rabole Felix's pass. That advantage lasted just two minutes before Kabongo Tshimanga equalised for the hosts. The game turned decisively in the 52nd minute when York midfielder Hiram Boateng was shown a second yellow card for dissent, forcing his team to play the final 38 minutes with ten men.
Barnet capitalised on their numerical advantage late on. Jake Reeves put them ahead with a fine strike from the edge of the box in the 80th minute, before a deflected effort from substitute Damola Ajayi seven minutes later was turned into his own net by York's Alfie Shane McNally to seal the 3-1 scoreline.
Discipline costs York
The red card for Boateng, who had been booked just before half-time for a foul, proved key. York's disciplinary issues continued, with manager Scott Lindsey also shown a red card in stoppage time for abusive language. In total, York received five yellow cards alongside the two dismissals.
Despite the defeat, York remain in a strong league position. They have taken 20 points from their opening 12 games, with a record of five wins, five draws and two losses. Their recent form had been solid, with a win over Port Vale followed by three consecutive draws before this loss. Their recent form over the last five matches is one win, three draws and one loss, following the sequence of a win over Port Vale, draws with Accrington, Newport County and Northampton, and this loss to Barnet.
Barnet manager Dean Brennan praised his side's persistence, stating the team showed great character to fight back after going a goal down. He highlighted the impact of his substitutes, including goalscorer Jake Reeves and Damola Ajayi, whose shot led to the decisive own goal. York boss Scott Lindsey, who will now serve a touchline ban, lamented the loss of Boateng as the turning point, saying the red card was 'needless' and changed the entire complexion of the match.
The team must now regroup quickly for a trip to Blundell Park this Saturday to face Grimsby Town in their next fixture, who currently sit 11th. That match kicks off at 12:30pm local time. The next fixture is away to Grimsby on Saturday 31 October.
