York throw away a 2–1 lead at Grimsby as Lindsey calls the 5–2 defeat ‘nowhere near good enough’
Sunday 1 November 2026 · By Trevor Wetherell
York City surrendered a 2–1 lead at Grimsby Town on Saturday and lost 5–2, and manager Scott Lindsey did not hold back afterwards. “We scored goals, but we can’t concede in the fashion we did today,” he told the Press Association. “It was nowhere near good enough.”
The York Press reported that it is York’s first back-to-back league defeats for 970 days, after the 3–1 loss at Barnet on Tuesday. It also meant the wait for a first away league win this season goes on.
The first half was lively. Andy Cook headed Grimsby in front after 13 minutes, and Alex Hunt equalised with what the York Press called the goal of the game, a swerving effort into the left corner on 17 minutes. Jack Hunt bent a shot into the same corner on 28 minutes to make it 2–1. Grimsby levelled through Iwan Morgan soon afterwards, after a shot from Maldini Kacurri rattled the post.
The second half was a different story. Grimsby scored three times in the final 15 minutes, through Cameron McJannet, Josh Andrews and Geza David Turi. “You only get out of football what you’re prepared to put into it and I’m really disappointed with this performance,” Lindsey said. “We were poor and that’s on me, because it didn’t look like us for long spells. You get one of these games every now and then at this level, but we can’t be happy with that.”
Lindsey made three changes, including a first start of the season for Josh Stones. Hiram Boateng missed the game while serving a one-match suspension, and Ollie Banks travelled but was not involved because of concussion protocols, the York Press said.
There is another matter that has run alongside the results. Lindsey was sent off after the Barnet game, and the York Press has reported his account. He said he never swore and that he had asked the EFL’s head of referees to listen to the referee’s communications. Those are Lindsey’s claims, and no ban has been reported.
In the table, York are seventh on 20 points from 14 games. Standing after the weekend’s games, they have five wins, five draws and four defeats, with 24 goals scored and 21 conceded. Grimsby are sixth on the same points with a better goal difference, and eighth-placed Gillingham are also on 20, with a goal difference of plus one against York’s plus three.
Grimsby manager David Artell described York as “a side that have created the most big chances in the league”. The problem on Saturday was at the other end.
York now have a chance to reset in the FA Cup. They are at home to Northampton Town at the LNER Community Stadium in the first round on Saturday 7 November at 3pm. It is one of four all-League Two ties, so one of those clubs will go out.
After that, York have an EFL Trophy trip to Bradford, and then play at Rochdale in League Two on Saturday 14 November at 3pm. A first away league win would be a welcome end to a difficult week.
Opened in 2021 on the Monks Cross retail and leisure site in Huntington, the LNER Community Stadium is York City’s modern home after almost ninety years at Bootham Crescent. Capacity is about 8,500, all seated and fully covered, built to Championship specification and shared with York Knights rugby league. For a visiting supporter it is a straightforward, well-signed ground with four separate stands rather than a continuous bowl, so corners house plant, stewarding and services instead of wrapping seats.
The pitch runs north–south. Goals sit in front of the North Stand and the South Stand. The East Stand is the main stand: three floors, dressing rooms, tunnel, media and hospitality. It is the deepest and largest (around 3,400 seats). Opposite it the West Stand runs the length of the touchline (about 2,250). The South Stand behind the far goal holds roughly 1,460; the North Stand is the smallest, under 900, with the shallowest roof. Seats mix red, white, yellow and blue for the football and rugby clubs that share the ground.
York City usually place away fans in the North Stand or in West Stand overflow blocks WH and WI, depending on the expected following. If the first allocation sells out, extra West blocks (often WF or WG) or extra North seating can open. Check your club’s announcement and the York City away-ticket page before you travel. All allocated away areas are covered. Views from the side stands, especially higher central rows in East or West, are the cleanest; the North Stand is closer to the goal and more compact.
Address for sat-nav is LNER Community Stadium, Kathryn Avenue / Monks Cross Drive, Huntington, York, YO32 9AF. The site sits on the north-east edge of the city, next to the retail park, cinema and leisure centre, not in the historic centre. Parking on site is limited. Pre-book via York City’s match-ticket pages if you can; otherwise the retail-park car parks fill early and walking distances vary. Coaches usually drop on Kathryn Avenue. From York station the journey is a bus or taxi out to Monks Cross rather than a city-centre stroll. Buses stop on Kathryn Avenue and Monks Cross Drive, a short walk from the turnstiles.
Tickets for visitors are sold either through York City’s “Buy Match Tickets (Away Supporters)” page or by your own club. Subject to leftover stock, matchday sales may be available at the North Stand booth. Concourses have standard fare: pies, burgers, hot dogs, hot and cold drinks. Facilities are modern: unobstructed sightlines, plenty of toilets, accessible bays in the East and West stands. The South-east corner has a fan zone used more by home supporters before kick-off. The adjoining leisure and retail complex means food, a pint and shops are on the same site if you arrive early.
Stewarding is generally calm. Segregation follows the published allocation rather than a fixed “away end for every game,” so read the block letters on your ticket. Dress for Yorkshire weather even under a roof: the four-stand layout can still feel open at the corners. If you want atmosphere, home noise tends to gather toward the South Stand; if you want a balanced view of both goals, sit as high as you can in a central West or East block. Leave a little extra time after full time: the retail-park roads clog quickly when a large crowd and shoppers meet.