WEDNESDAY POLL: York City 1 Torquay 0 - Hayhurst breaks his duck as York triumph
The Minstermen strengthened their hold on a League Two play-off place thanks to the on-loan Preston winger and a fifth straight clean sheet.
Hayhurst received a welcome stroke of luck to open his account on 10 minutes when his low drive beat visiting goalkeeper Martin Rice following a heavy deflection off centre-back Aaron Downes.
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Hide AdAdam Reed, Ryan Bowman, Keith Lowe and Hayhurst all had further chances to extend the lead before the Gulls finished the half on top.
Enoch Showunmi headed over from a Billy Bodin corner and York goalkeeper Nick Pope stopped Lee Mansell’s free kick.
York started the second half brightly with Adam Reed forcing Rice into a save and Hayhurst shooting over after bursting through the right channel.
But Torquay showed spirit and Pope had to be alert to keep out a 20-yard Bodin drive and an Anthony O’Connor strike.
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Hide AdDownes also went close to making amends for his part in York’s goal but his 85th-minute header was saved well by goalkeeper Pope, who went on to see a Bodin volley flash wide in stoppage time.
York City: Pope; Oyebanjo, Lowe, McCombe, Davies; Jarvis (Andrew, 80), Penn, Reed, Hayhurst (Platt, 90); Bowman, Coulson. Unused substitutes: McGurk, Montrose, Platt, Ingham, Dickinson, Puri.
Torquay: Rice; O’Connor, Pearce, Downes, Nicholson; Thompson, Mansell, Harding, Bodin; Showumni, Benyon (Yeoman, 65). Unused substitutes: Poke, Tonge, Lathrope, Hawley,Stockley, Craig.
Referee: E Ilderton (Tynemouth).