York manager Neal Ardley admitted his team rode their luck to “hang on” for a 2-1 FA Cup first round replay victory over Chester.

Captain Lenell John-Lewis bagged a brace to put the hosts in the ascendancy midway through the second period but David Stockdale was required to make two fine saves either side of a 71st-minute George Glendon reply.

York survived to book a televised Friday night home clash with 2013 cup winners Wigan on December 1 but Ardley said: “We started the game really well and could have been a couple up but, at half-time, their manager had a shout at them and we knew they would up their game because it was a cup tie and they hadn’t laid a glove on us.

“We then didn’t adapt to their intensity and they came out on the front foot while we came out on the back foot.

“It became a proper cup tie and one team’s mentality was ‘let’s go for it’ and the other was ‘can we hang on?’, but we found a way to win, even though we didn’t manage the game well enough.”

Chester boss Calum McIntyre had mixed feelings at the final whistle – pride in his team’s efforts on the night and throughout this season’s competition, but disappointment at not progressing further and
pocketing a £100,000 windfall in prize money and TV revenue.

He said: “There were big rewards on offer and I am gutted we’ve missed out on that but very proud of my football team in this game and the whole cup run we’ve been on.

“We had York on the ropes and there was a moment at the end that we shared with the supporters that was special, when the effort of the players was recognised.

“In the end, It has taken two brilliant saves from a former Premier League keeper in both the original tie and this game to get York through to the next round.”

York reached the FA Cup second round for the first time since 2010 as captain Lenell John-Lewis bagged a brace to see off Chester 2-1.

Visiting skipper George Glendon reduced the deficit for the National League North side, but it is the Minstermen who now go on to entertain 2013 Cup winners Wigan in a televised Friday night clash on December 1.

York started with purpose as Dipo Akinyemi fired past the near post just six seconds into the contest before John-Lewis opened the scoring in the fifth minute.

Poor away defending saw John-Lewis afforded the space to collect Scott Burgess’ right-wing corner at the near post before turning and firing past an exposed Will Stanway from two yards.

Chester only managed one effort during the opening 45 minutes, with David Stockdale keeping out a diagonal Adam Thomas drive.

After the break, ex-York midfielder Elliott Whitehouse stabbed wide of a gaping goal following a goalmouth scramble.

But the Minstermen doubled their advantage midway through the second period when Stanway misjudged a bouncing ball, leaving John-Lewis with an empty net to grab his second goal of the night.

The visitors rallied, though, with Declan Weeks forcing a fine save from Stockdale before Glendon went on to grab his team’s consolation, beating the ex-Fulham keeper with a composed 10-yard finish after 71
minutes.