York’s automatic promotion hopes fade further with Braintree defeat

Mar 22, 2025 1 min read
John Akinde scored the opening goal for Braintree (Rhianna Chadwick/PA)
John Akinde scored the opening goal for Braintree (Rhianna Chadwick/PA)

York’s hopes of automatic promotion from the National League were dealt an apparently terminal blow with a 2-1 defeat against Braintree.

City went into the weekend 11 points behind Barnet and knowing they could not afford any more slip-ups.

But they fell behind in the 25th minute as veteran John Akinde fired in from outside the box.

Josh Stones levelled from a corner in the 35th minute but Jermaine Francis came off the bench to win the match with virtually his first touch 24 minutes from time.

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