YORK City dodged another potential banana skin in the FA Cup as they came from behind to win 2-1 at Buxton in the third qualifying round.

The hosts made their higher-tier opponents work for it, though, and were good value for their one-goal half-time lead, the goal scored by former York loanee Diego De Girolamo.

It was a poor first-half showing from City, who were unusually slack in possession and defence, but Buxton were worthy leaders.

But a much-improved second half saw York turn the tide, thanks largely to the influence of both wing-backs. David Ferguson crossed both times and Nathan Dyer put the pressure on to force the own goal for the equaliser and then hammer home the winner.

There was still time for Aaron Chalmers to strike the post with a stoppage-time free kick before Adriano Moke - arguably the game's most-improved performer - broke and almost teed up a third, which would have been cruel on the hosts.

Manager and substitute goalkeeper Paul Phillips pulled no punches with his side. Ash Young was the only player from last week’s 2-1 home defeat to South Shields to begin the day on the bench.

Up front was De Girolamo, supporting Liam Hardy, who has made more appearances than anyone else in this current crop of Bucks players, and averages two goals every three games.

De Girolamo’s brother Nico bolstered the backline alongside captain Brad Roscoe in front of summer signing, keeper Grant Shenton, who has kept just one clean sheet all season for the Northern Premier League premier division strugglers.

As anticipated, York boss Watson named a strong starting 11. Ryan Whitley replaced Peter Jameson between the sticks while Tom Allan made his second consecutive start in the Cup following the previous round’s win at Irlam.

Experienced midfielder Elliott Durrell and 22-year-old centre-forward Kyle McFarlane both earned their first starts for the Minstermen, with strike partner Jordan Burrow taking the captain’s armband.

It was an end-to-end start to proceedings without being particularly lively, though the game soon warmed up.

Individual cameos produced York’s best chances - but the visitors continually ran the risk of being caught out by the Bucks’ front line, which told fairly early on.

The first moment of danger arrived two minutes in. Nathan Dyer nicked off a dawdling Roscoe and jinked into the box but his ball across was cleared before the lunging Burrow could reach it.

Dyer then fired over from outside the area after good work from Durrell before McFarlane got away York’s first shot on target, but his curling effort was comfortably held by Shenton, and Burrow came close to making headed contact with David Ferguson’s chipped ball in.

Diego De Girolamo put Buxton ahead in the 11th minute. The unmarked Kyle Harrison collected Brian Wilson’s ball out to the edge of the area and, in space, De Girolamo placed his low cross on target. Whitley got a strong hand to it but the ball squirmed in.

Midway through the half, Ferguson just kept away from running through on goal after his own bouncing ball. A good McFarlane challenge at the other end finished another speedy break from the hosts.

Not long after, McFarlane showed more good pace and skill to get a cross over to the back post. It was met by Dyer, whose effort rolled back across the face of goal before being cleared.

Both teams had responded positively to the goal. Buxon’s confidence boost was evident in a lovely spin and lofted through ball from Diego De Girolamo, while City looked to be getting closer to an equaliser, though there were too many crosses into good areas that no one got on the end of.

Still, York diced with danger, Sean Newton exhibiting the clearest signs yet of the backline not being fully switched on when he left a trickling loose ball for Whitley to collect, not realising Hardy was ready and waiting to chase the keeper down.

With seven minutes to go to half-time, Hardy had a great chance to put Buxton two clear. He collected a looping long ball in the area with no defender near him but Whitley did well to make himself big and smother the striker’s effort.

A lazy Moke pass on the edge of the area allowed Buxton to break and earn a corner. From the set piece’s breakdown, York got up the other end with a smooth passing move, which ended with a powerful Moke effort well held by Shenton.

Buxton closed the half with two off-target efforts, while Durrell – one of only a handful of City players to make a mark on the first half – saw a pair of good curling deliveries into the area come to nothing.

Alex Kempster replaced McFarlane for the second 45 and was immediately up to his usual harrying tricks. Buxton, meanwhile, relented on the lightning-quick balls forward that caused so much trouble in the first half.

And five minutes into an improved second period, City were level. Shenton came out to meet a Ferguson left-wing cross, did not do enough to clear and, under pressure from Dyer, Alex Brown turned into his own net.

Diego De Girolamo picked up the game’s only booking for a trip on Paddy McLaughlin.

By the hour, York were well on top but could not deliver the desired ball into the box. A succession of four corners was starting to look like training-session target-practice before Warren Clarke cleared the final cross in with a diving header – only for Dyer to tee up Burrow at the near post, but his header was high and wide.

Buxton were not out of it though and pinball in the box produced handball shouts from both sets of fans and a superb reaction double save from Whitley.

Mere seconds later, it was Shenton’s turn to show what he could do and he made a fantastic one-handed stop from Burrow’s header on the break.

Dyer put City ahead with 10 minutes to go. He met Ferguson’s looping cross to the back post with a header back across goal that came off the corner of the woodwork. Kempster recovered it and played it along the ground for Dyer to slam into the roof of the net.

The goal sparked wild scenes that soon turned ugly between the two sets of fans in the covered end.

Buxton: Shenton, Roscoe, Harrison, N De Girolamo, O’Grady, Wilson (Oyibo 82), Clarke (Pilkington 90), Chalmers, D De Girolamo (Jennings 70), Hardy, Brown. Subs not used: Phillips, Young, Kilner, Hopkins.

Goals: Diego De Girolamo

York: Whitley 8, Dyer 8, Tait 6, Newton 6, Allan 6, Ferguson 7, Moke 6, McLaughlin 6, Durrell 7 (Langstaff 6 74), Burrow 7, McFarlane 7 (Kempster 7 45). Subs not used: Jameson, King, Bond, Green, York.

Goals: Brown OG, Dyer

Star performer: Nathan Dyer. Always a tenacious player, he today capped off another good performance with a hand in one goal and the vital winner.

Referee: Mr Richard Holmes