YORK City boss Nigel Worthington hailed a "very good exercise" following a 2-0 friendly defeat against Premier League Hull.

Second-half goals from African internationals Sone Aluko and Yannick Sagbo saw last season's FA Cup finalists seal victory at Bootham Crescent, although Michael Coulson also rattled the crossbar for the hosts.

Steve Bruce's Europa League hopefuls also had the luxury of bringing Aluko and Sagbo off the bench at half-time, along with the likes of Tom Huddlestone and Tom Ince, as the ex-Manchester United defender only spared Nikica Jelavic from North Yorkshire duty, following his summer with Croatia at the World Cup finals.

On the value of such a challenge, City chief Worthington said: "It was a very good exercise. I was delighted that Steve brought his whole squad here.

"That was a big compliment to ourselves and he put virtually two different teams out, so I was pleased with our fitness and shape. Their fresh legs came on and the game was designed that way to be good for our lads.

"It kept our players topped up for the main focus, which is Tranmere on August 9."

Returning goalkeeper Michel Ingham was beaten from 30 yards for Aluko's first goal before a Keith Lowe misjudgement let in Sagbo for the second.

Commenting on the Hull strikes, Worthington added: "Michael was a bit unfortunate that the ball bounced up in front of him at the last second and the second one showed the difference between the Premier League and ourselves - if you give them half an opportunity, it can end up in the back of your net.

"But we had good passages of play in and around the 18-yard box and kept the ball better in the second half than the first when we were giving it away a bit cheaply. All in all, it was very good.

"We were compact, which made them go out wide rather than through the middle and that was important because, with their quality, one pass can kill you, but our energy levels and pressing were good."

Worthington went on to stress that Ingham and Jason Mooney were still competing to start the campaign between the sticks with two pre-season friendlies left to play against Nottingham Forest next Wednesday and Sheffield United a week on Saturday.

"We've got two to look at and play with," he said of the goalkeeping situation. "Michael came back in after not playing in Scotland and got another hour, which will be good for him."