Hotshot Neil Tarrant got his York City career off to a superb start on Saturday following his loan switch from Aston Villa.

But the amiable striker seemed more delighted to have helped out his new team-mates rather than score on his Football League debut.

"It was nice to get a goal, especially as it helped us win a point. We got a draw against one of the top teams in the Third Division," said Tarrant, who is yet to play in Villa's first team after his £250,000 switch from Ross County in Scotland last year.

The self-confessed Darlington fan said last week that he had come on a month's loan to Bootham Crescent with two aims in mind - to score goals and to help City climb the table.

"You don't want to come on loan for a month and not get a goal so it was good to get off the mark early," he said.

"It's an excellent set-up here and although it's been a bad start to the season for York, the season is still young.

"Hopefully we can put a string of results together and get away from the bottom, and this could be the kick-start we need to get up the table."

The 6ft 1in left-footer eluded three defenders before firing home from 19 yards on 75 minutes to equalise Leyton Orient's first-half opener and earn City a 1-1 draw.

He said: "My only priority when I picked up the ball was to take my man on and have a shot. I can only vaguely remember it, but it was nice to hit the target."

City boss Terry Dolan described Tarrant's overall display as adequate, adding: "He's not been used to that type of football and he's playing with new players. But I was pleased he got his debut goal."

As for the team's display, he said: "For the majority I was pleased with what we did, apart from the goal we gave away.

"The person at fault for the goal, Matt Hocking, was the one person who's been playing well for us. He's got himself in a position where he's neither tight on the man nor covering and the one ball has caught us out. I know he can do better."

He added: "In the second half when we were a goal down we were always stretching to get back into it, but I was pleased with the doggedness we showed.

"In the second half we were a little bit indisciplined and left ourselves open on the break, and we were fortunate they did not take their chances.

"But we won a point and it's stopped the rot after two straight away defeats. As long as we keep on picking up points at home it gives us the chance to build on that away from home."

Dolan also explained his reasons for substituting striker Alex Mathie with 20 minutes left, a decision which many fans questioned.

"He was tiring and was losing the ball on several occasions, and when you've get alternatives on the bench, you change it. Alex is not at his sharpest but he had a good first half."