Russ Wilcox given "great hope for future" despite Shrewsbury defeat

Mark Ellis’s 13th-minute header proved the difference between the two sides but Wilcox was greatly encouraged by his team’s second-half performance at a stadium where only Chelsea and Northampton have left with maximum points this term.

The Minstermen hit the post through Luke Summerfield, had a Shaun Miller goal wrongly disallowed, according to Wilcox, whilst also seeing Russell Penn and Shaq Coulthirst force fine saves from Jayson Leutwiler. It was a display that left home fans grateful for the final whistle against a City team who had only staved off the threat of relegation four days earlier with Wilcox saying: “At half-time, we spoke about being brave on the ball and we were outstanding in the second half.

“We moved the ball around the pitch well, Luke Summerfield hit the post with a 30-yard screamer, Russ Penn had another excellent go from a similar range and Shaun Miller had a goal wrongly disallowed. That cost us a point and we should be unbeaten in seven matches but the performance gives me great hope and bodes well for the future.

“We didn’t deserve to lose and the players showed they’re not getting their flip flops out yet, which shows me what a great bunch I have got in the dressing room because this game was a worry. I thought there was a danger we could be flat and lethargic, so the mindset we showed at the end of a very, very stressful week was terrific.

“We got a win against Hartlepool after going down to ten men and beat Morecambe after going behind to secure our league status so, after all that massive relief, it was outstanding to produce a performance like that against a team who are going for promotion and have won 17 league games at home this season and only lost one.”

But Wilcox still left the New Meadow with a tinge of frustration concerning the contributions of referee Brendan Malone and his assistants.

“We didn’t get the big decision, which always seems to go to teams at the top end, rather than those at the bottom,” he argued. “We had our analyst (Luke Foulkes) filming the game and, after we viewed it back, it was a tight decision but Shaun was onside and he will be disappointed to have that goal chalked off.

“To be honest, I thought the officials were disappointing all afternoon and we didn’t get any of the 50-50 decisions. Jake Hyde was getting bullied off the ball and, nine times out of ten, he didn’t get anything.

“Getting the key decision wrong then summed up their day.”

Wilcox’s only criticism of his team, meanwhile, was the manner in which they allowed Ellis to net three yards out from a corner.

He added: “Their goal was the only negative. We pride ourselves on being good in both boxes and have scored four goals from corners in the last five games so, to concede such a soft goal after dominating the first ten minutes, was disappointing.”

City made one change to the side that started Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Morecambe with Femi Ilesanmi recalled making the first XI after a six-game absence for Miller, who later replaced the former Dagenham full-back.

On those decisions, Wilcox explained: “Femi did his job defensively and then we decided to be brave and chase the game by bringing Shaun on. We also moved Shaq to wing-back and should have got our rewards for being brave second half.”

Miller was one of five loan players on duty again in Shropshire, along with Coulthirst, Brad Halliday, Stephane Zubar and unused sub Josh O’Hanlon.

City boss Wilcox heralded all their efforts and admitted that he will look to recruit players on a similar basis next season, pointing out: “I think the loan market works if you put your squad together and leave some space for quality young players from Premier League or Championship sides.

“I think most of the loan signings I’ve brought in have been good ones. Everyone of them has put on a York City shirt and it has not mattered whether they’re from Bournemouth, Middlesbrough or Tottenham.

“They’ve worked just as hard as the man alongside them. With where York City is based, Leeds and the two Sheffield clubs are nearby as are Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Barnsley and Doncaster and I think it’s important to try and get more northern lads into the club as well to go with the likes of Shaq, who will be a terrific player.

“He’s only 20 and this will prove a fantastic experience for him because he’s played for us at wing-back, up the top of the pitch and in pockets of space off the front two. He’s a terrific kid and deserves massive credit for coming to York City because he had a chance to go to a southern club who were pushing for the play-offs but he’s rolled up his sleeves and worked hard for us instead.”

Having seen his midfield of Penn, Summerfield and Michael Coulson get the better of highly-rated Shrewsbury trio Liam Lawrence, Ryan Woods and Bobby Grant after the break, Wilcox also reasoned: “In Lawrence, they’ve got a player who’s played in the Premier League. Woods will probably go on to do that and Grant has played in the Championship.

“They are way too good for League Two, so for Russ, Luke and Michael to play against them in the way they did during the second half was excellent.”

Wilcox went on to challenge his players to continue their winning run at Bootham Crescent when Newport visit for the last home fixture of the campaign on Saturday.

“I’m gutted our unbeaten run has come to an end, but it’s important that we regroup and focus fully on the Newport game because I want to finish the season on a high at home,” he explained. “We’ve won the last three at Bootham Crescent and I want to make that four.”

The City boss revealed, however, that sidelined trio Josh Carson (severe concussion), Wes Fletcher (hamstring) and Emile Sinclair (thigh) are now unlikely to play any part in that match or the final-day trip to Porstmouth. “Josh is having a second scan but I think it will be difficult to get him back on the pitch before the end of the season,” Wilcox said. “He’s been out three or four weeks without training and it would be difficult to get him up to speed with only two games to go but we will make sure we get him back on the training ground and he does the work he needs to do.

“I don’t think we will see Wes or Emile play again either. The last thing they need is a setback because we brought them back sooner than necessary.

“We also don’t need them back now because we’ve got over the line and secured our League Two status.”