YORK City’s unbeaten run ended at 12 games as they were outclassed by a Boston United in a 1-0 defeat at the LNER Community Stadium.

The Minstermen had been on a marvellous run since the end of January but they were finally undone by an excellent Pilgrims outfit.

Faster to the ball and slicker on it – particularly in the first half – Boston netted the only goal of the game seven minutes before the break when Danny Elliott curled in a left-footed effort from outside the area.

York stay seventh in National League North but have been joined on 48 points by Boston.

Manager John Askey made one change from Saturday’s high-scoring draw at Southport. Jack McKay – who netted City’s second in the 3-3 stalemate at Haig Avenue – came in for Kurt Willoughby.

Striker Clayton Donaldson was missing due to injury, with Lenell John-Lewis continuing up front. The back four also remained constant.

A new signing for the Minstermen in the week, Maziar Kouhyar was not included as he was on international duty, due to face Madagascar on Thursday for Afghanistan.

Boston boss Paul Cox also made two changes to the starting 11 from Saturday. Andi Thanoj came in for the elder Jake Wright (not formerly of York) in the midfield while, at the back, Matt Tootle was left out in favour of Sheffield United wing-back Femi Seriki. The 18-year-old joined on Tuesday from the Blades.

Goalscorers from the Pilgrims’ 2-1 win over York in Lincolnshire, Danny Elliott and Shane Byrne both kept their places from the weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Gateshead.

Both sides had early corners during a lightning-quick start, which also saw both teams threatening effective counter-attacks. Whippet attacker Elliott was Boston’s best outlet while John-Lewis held the ball up well to get City into the Pilgrims’ half.

Former York striker Jordan Burrow caused City some problems in the box with his aerial strength while McKay and Dyson had decent efforts on goal. Dyson’s, from outside the area, was turned away low after McKay’s header was blocked from close range.

The first quarter of the game was a satisfyingly flowing contest, which Boston looked on top in. City struggled to get forward under Boston’s hectoring press in midfield, while Seriki caused havoc down the attacking right-hand side. He twice teed up Elliott, who twice miscued his efforts.

When City did get out, McKay was one of few potent routes forward. He set up Olly Dyson for an effort from outside the area which Marcus Dewhurst did well to stop one-handed.

But it was a rare nearly moment against a Boston who were authoritative, snappy and forward-thinking both in and out of possession, closing down York players as soon as they got near the ball and passing with precision.

When the goal arrived, it was the product of their good press and confident ability. Joe Leesley was one of a few down the right haranguing Dyson, who lost out. The ball made its way to Elliott just to the right of the goal, around 20 yards out, and he was able to take his time and bend a left-footed strike beyond Pete Jameson.

Boston thoroughly deserved their half-time lead as York simply looked overwhelmed across the pitch.

City started the second half with refreshed purpose and forced Boston into errors just as they had been cowed in the first half. Seriki, whose attacking prowess had been on display in the first half, showed his defensive capabilities in the opening five minutes of the second, twice besting McKay with nous and speed.

Almost anonymous for much of the opening 45 minutes, John-Lewis, Paddy McLaughlin and Mitch Hancox were far more involved in the early stages of the second. They each contributed an effort on goal – each off target – as York more than doubled their shots-on tally within 15 minutes of the restart.

Boston rode the wave with some intelligent game management, taking their opportunities to slow the game down, and grew back into the contest.

For York’s part, under pressure in the centre of the park once again, they never looked convincing in possession and struggled to break out, though they drove more towards the 18-yard box. Askey signalled his intentions by making a triple substitution with 12 minutes to go, taking off McLaughlin, Dyson and McKay for Michael Woods, Willoughby and Sam Sanders.

Woods and Willoughby go their foot on the ball around the edge of the area but that was the extent of their impact.

At the other end, Jameson did fantastically to stick a leg out and deny the swashbuckling Seriki, who broke into the City area and unleashed a low effort to the keeper’s left late on.

York: Jameson 6, Duckworth 6, Barrow 4, Brown 5, McLaughlin 5 (Woods 5, 78), Dyson 6 (Willoughby 5, 78), Kouogun 6, Wright 6, Hancox 4, John-Lewis 5, McKay 5 (Sanders 5, 78). Subs not used: Longdon, Campbell.

Star man: Maxim Kouogun. Solid and read the game well at the back.

Boston: Dewhurst, Platt, Shiels, Thanoj (Sault 90+3), Burrow (Massanka 76), Elliott, Abbott, Leesley, Byrne, Seriki, Nicholson. Subs not used: Duxbury, F Preston, Armond.

Goals: Elliott (38)

Yellow cards: Dewhurst, Elliott

Referee: Dean Watson

Attendance: 2,954 (148)

Stats for York | Boston

Shots (on target): 11 (3) | 6 (3); Corners: 5 | 8; Offsides: 1 | 1; Fouls: 6 | 6; Yellow cards: 0 | 2.