YORK City under-19’s were cruelly denied back-to-back trophies in the National League Alliance Cup, with a stoppage-time free-kick earning Maidstone United a 1-0 victory.

A superb free-kick from Riley Court saw Maidstone end York’s hopes of retaining their trophy, despite a spirited effort from a young City squad managed by Tim Ryan and Dan Wilson.

The Minstermen were watched by first-team manager Adam Hinshelwood in the stands at England’s prestigious St George’s Park, where the national team train, after a sublime run saw York reach this stage of the competition.

Victories over Blyth Spartans, Guiseley and Chesterfield meant that York had reached the final for a second year running, after Ryan’s side had beaten Woking 2-0 at St George’s Park the previous year.

Their challenge to retain the trophy was made harder by a controversial refereeing performance that included a straight red card to Alex Payne, before Court stole the triumph late on with an exceptionally-taken free-kick.

It will be disappointing to City's youngsters, with midfielder Bill Marshall telling the Press that the game had 'meant everything' to the squad. 

But despite the defeat, the young Minstermen can be very proud of their performance and efforts until the final whistle.

City shot-stopper Sam Taylor was called into action early on, making a save after a Maidstone attacker attempted a long-ranged effort to sting the young shot-stopper’s gloves.

Maidstone’s Elliott Wenham rolled an effort agonisingly wide of Taylor’s far post, before City responded with their first attempt on goal.

Harry Burland managed to pick out Harvey Hope in a prominent position, who tested goalkeeper Chris Swift, smothering the striker’s effort.

An alleged foul on Burland was waved away by referee James Cairns, before Hope met Mackenzie Crooks’ teasing cross, failing to make the necessary connection to test Swift.

York continued to take control deeper into Maidstone’s half, with another dangerous Crooks cross being met by Hope, with his lashed effort trickling wide after an impressive deflection from a Stones defender.

Wenham looked to bring Maidstone into second gear, with Taylor again denying the Maidstone attacker, before Barney Richards headed over from a set-piece.

The half-time whistle was nearing and City were keen to take advantage of a promising first-half, with George Harrison’s cross picking out Burland again in the middle of the area, but Maidstone’s Swift made an exceptional close-ranged save to divert Burland’s strike away from goal.

The young Minstermen’s best opportunity of the half came on the brink of half-time, with a major error from Swift seeing his scuffed clearance falling directly into the path of Hope, but the Maidstone goalkeeper recovered to hold onto the follow-up strike.

Ashton Mitford had one final chance of the opening forty-five, with hid nodded effort held by Taylor, before City headed into the half-time break full of confidene.

Maidstone came out for the second-half in the ascendancy, with Riley Court curling an effort over before Wenham was denied by a strong block from York’s Roan Shirley.

Harrison looked to put City ahead when stinging the gloves of Swift, before the Stones’ shot-stopper again denied Hope from close-range, parrying his attempted lob after racing through from Marshall’s pass.

Stones’ Paddy Flynn was hoping to make an impact after entering the field as a substitute, but could only strike wide from close-range.

Leon Gibson-Booth, a left-footed cente-halve for York, has caught the attention of first-team boss Hinshelwood in recent weeks, but he wasn’t able to hit the target from outside the box.

Right-back Ben Tate made a strong block to prevent Akshar Santosh’s outside of the boot strike, with Maidstone starting to enjoy more possession.

Charlie Lumsden soon headed over, before York’s chances of taking home the trophy were marred by the referee when awarding a straight red card.

A late challenge from Alex Payne saw the City youngster shown a straight red card, with the Minstermen to play the final ten minutes with ten men.

Taylor produced a sublime stop to push away Court’s curling effort, before Maidstone cruelly claimed the title in the final minute.

An exceptional, curling free-kick from Court beat the York wall and left Taylor rooted to the spot, with the visitors from Kent taking the victory in a cruel fashion for York’s youngsters.

It brings an end to another hugely successful cup run for the under-19’s, who can all be very proud of their efforts, with Ryan’s side currently sat in fourth position of the NLFA North Division.

YORK CITY: Taylor, Tate (Grumley, 90), Shirley, Gibson-Booth, Crooks, Marshall, Payne, Dawson, Harrison (Lumsden, 59), Hope (Farrar, 75), Burland (Edenene, 86)

Yellow cards: Tate (13), Dawson (65), Marshall (73)

Red cards: Payne (84)

MAIDSTONE UNITED: Swift, Wincott, Jackson-Hunt, Richards, Hatton, Parle, Clark, Court, Mitford, Wenham, Jackson

Subs: Wilson, Akash Santosh, Akashak Santosh, Bedzram

Goals: Court (90+5)

Shots on/off target: 5 (4) | 3 (6)

Fouls: 15 | 7

Offsides: 4 | 1

Corners: 3 | 4