York strengthened their play-off hopes with a deserved victory over struggling Macclesfield.

The Minstermen outplayed their visitors in the first half and created numerous opportunities.

Jon Parkin opened the scoring with a fifth-minute strike from six yards and had two other good opportunities, while Graham Potter shot over from just outside the area.

City extended their lead seven minutes into the second half.

Richard Cooper's cross was headed across goal by Tom Cowan and Lee Bullock kept a cool head to rifle the ball into the top corner from the edge of the box.

The introduction of David Eaton and Martin Nash on 57 minutes sparked the visitors into life.

Eaton fluffed a one-on-one with York keeper Michael Ingham seconds after coming on before Michael Welch drilled a spectacular 30-yard free-kick into the top corner after 60 minutes.

It was Macclesfield's first shot on target.

Welch headed against the bar with 10 minutes remaining, while Darren Dunning just missed the angle of bar and post with a curling free-kick two minutes from time.

Eaton also shot just wide in the final minute as City clung on for victory.

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York: Ingham, Jones, Smith, Brass, Cooper, Bullock, Potter, Cowan, Nogan, Parkin, Shandran. Subs: Hobson, Mathie, Wood, Fox, Collinson.

Macclesfield: Wilson, Hitchen, Tinson, Macauley, Adams, Smith, Welch, Dunning, Hardy, Ross, Lightbourne. Subs: Martin, Priest, Tipton, Eaton, Nash.

Referee: P Prosser (Gloucestershire).