Harlow Town had given a good account of themselves, but missed opportunities in the first period came back to haunt the Hawks. A late consolation goal gave the hosts slim hopes of a replay, but York City put their league woes behind them to see out the game and win through to the next round.

The first period was as a tight encounter with Harlow having the best of the opening chances. Jared Small’s driven cross was almost reached by Alex Read, but Daniel Parslow’s defensive header took it away from the striker.

York captain Simon Heslop put a perfectly placed cross in to Amari Morgan-Smith on the penalty spot, but the header was tame and easily collected by David Hughes.

Winger Jared Small burst into the box and cut inside to create space for the shot, but a perfectly-timed sliding block from Sean Newton put the effort out for a corner.

Newton continued his impressive defensive display, and blocked a close-range shot from Craig Pope to put it behind. From the resulting corner Alex Read received the ball in a good position, but he was unable to keep his volley down as it flew over the crossbar.

Morgan-Smith had a gilt-edged chance to put the visitors ahead, but when he collected a cross inside the box in acres of space, he sent the ball wide of the post.

Mario Noto’s through-ball cut open the York City defence to create the best chance of the game so far, but goalkeeper Kyle Letheren was out quickly to deny Jared Small with his legs.

HT: Harlow Town 0-0 York City

A chipped through-ball from the visitors put Morgan-Smith in on goal, but Layne Eadie got across to dispossess the striker before he could release a shot.

The visitors had been increasing the pressure throughout the second half, and the breakthrough came on 77 minutes. A York City corner was headed down in the goal area, and Amari Morgan-Smith was in the right place to convert from close range.

Just three minutes later the Minstermen doubled the lead. A defensive lapse from the home side gifted possession to Simon Heslop, who smashed home from 10 yards out.

The fitness levels of the visitors began to tell as they took control of the game. York could have had a third with a free header six yards from goal, but Morgan-Smith’s tame effort was easily collected by Harlow stopper David Hughes.

Junior Dadson came off the bench to make his first appearance of the season after a long injury lay-off, and he almost made an instant impact. He reached the byline and cut-back for Leon Antoine, but the shot was blocked out for a corner.

Alex Read, making his 200th appearance for the club, pulled a goal back for Harlow on 90 minutes to set-up a nervy finish. A long throw into the box fell to the striker who bundled the ball home. It was too late for the hosts however, who would rue their missed opportunities earlier on in the game.

FT: Harlow Town 1-2 York City
ATTENDANCE: 816

For Harlow the attention now turns back to the league, and the Hawks host Lowestoft Town on Tuesday 17th January. It’s a 7:45pm kick off.