YORK City boss Billy McEwan declared himself proud of his players despite their 1-0 FA Cup first round exit against Bristol City.

The Minstermen fell to a 53rd-minute Jamie McCombe header but created twice as many chances as their high-flying League One visitors and deserved at least a replay.

McEwan was, however, disappointed by the manner in which the only goal of the game was conceded and also believed his side were on the receiving end of some "biased" decisions from the officials.

About his side's display, McEwan said: "Our fans were superb with their backing and the players responded magnificently. If you had come to the game as a neutral, you would have thought it was a really good game between two teams from a higher division because we gave as good as we got.

"In general play we caused them no end of problems and our forward play was superb at times. I'm sure Bristol are very relieved and I have to be proud of the boys.

"They went out and gave a good account of themselves. We pushed a really top League One side all the way and should have taken them to a replay if not won the game.

"They are dejected to lose because we thought we should have got something out of it but we cannot get too carried away. We have got a big game against Weymouth (City's opponents this Saturday) to prepare for now."

McCombe settled matters when he beat on-loan Lincoln City defender Luke Foster to a Jamie McAllister free-kick and headed over Tom Evans.

McEwan felt the goal was out of context with the rest of City's performance and said: "They did not carve us open so to concede a goal like that was very disappointing and our players did not deserve that.

"It was a very soft goal because we allowed the big lad to get in front of us."

The City boss also added that he felt centre-back Jason Goodliffe was wrongly penalised for a foul that led to the goal and argued that young referee Michael Oliver favoured the Football League side.

He said: "Clayton (Donaldson) should have had a blatant penalty and I thought the officials were biased towards the higher division team. Some of the decisions given were a little bit harsh."

McEwan went on to praise on-loan Stevenage defender Goodliffe for completing 90 minutes despite missing a full week's training with a knee problem.

Fit-again David McGurk had been on stand-by to replace Goodliffe and was named as a substitute with McEwan saying: "I have to say a big thank you for Jason Goodliffe as he had not trained all week and wasn't fit to play yesterday but he passed a fitness test in the morning and I thought he was outstanding at the back with young Foster.

"If he had not made it, David McGurk would have been thrown in at the deep end. I would have been prepared to do that as he's got the experience over young Danny Parslow."

Bristol City were handed a home tie with Gillingham in yesterday's second round draw.