York showed Barnet they are determined to take the National League title race as deep as they can as they crushed Aldershot 7-2 in a chaotic clash.

With the Bees dropping points in their last two matches, City knew a win would reduce the gap between them and the one automatic promotion place to six points with four to play.

Ollie Pearce kicked the home side off with a third-minute opener and Lewis Richardson spun his man before scoring a second six minutes later.

Harrison Male then produced a brilliant penalty-and-rebound double save to deny Shots’ Josh Barrett and Richardson added insult to injury with a 17th-minute third.

Jack Barham pulled one back (21) and then Shots got another penalty (45). Male saved again – this time from Theo Widdrington – but Kwame Thomas put away the rebound before Pearce’s 29th of the season capped an incredible half.

Cameron Hargreaves was sent off for Aldershot 10 minutes after half-time and Josh Stones and Callum Howe both struck before Pearce completed his hat-trick.