WES York has been challenged to get double figures in goals this season after opening his York City account with the only effort of a rousing 1-0 home victory over National League North favourites Stockport.

The former Gateshead winger settled matters with a 77th-minute tap-in after Jordan Burrow's first-half penalty had been saved.

Hailing York's display and outlining his expectations of the player for the rest of the campaign, City chief Martin Gray said: "We want to get him high up the pitch as he is a threat.

"He probably put more crosses in during the first half than he did in the whole of pre-season and I've told him I want between 10 and 15 goals from him this season. That's what he's got to contribute from getting in the box.

"He made the goal look simple, but it was how he got there that was important. I've seen him many a time before coming here and, when he plays like that, he's very difficult to defend against.

"He can get you up the pitch himself with his energy."

The City boss was also lifted by the terrific atmosphere at Bootham Crescent which, under the current fixture schedule, could be the last midweek fixture to be played at the ground before the move to Monks Cross.

"It's the best I've heard the York fans and it was a magnificent feeling," Gray enthused. "To hear them roar like that was the best I've felt since coming here and I'm delighted they went home happy. "I thought our fitness levels over 90 minutes kicked in after a really tough pre-season. Stockport also came to us full of confidence so, to dominate the second half as we did, I was delighted.

"We had a penalty saved and Simon Heslop had to come off in the first half, but this team has a different mentality now and I think we saw that."

Heslop picked up a rib injury, but Gray went on to suggest that his replacement Adriano Moke produced his best display under the ex-Darlington chief.

"His decision making was good and he won headers, which I've been very critical about before, so he's set a standard and has to work hard now to stay in the team," Gray added.

The City manager was not perturbed by four of his players receiving cautions either, reasoning: "I want my teams to be aggressive and horrible and get in people's faces and be confrontational. The bookings we got were for strong challenges and the team's performance was summed up when Hamza Bencherif put his head in where it hurts at the end."