YORK City boss Billy McEwan is hoping on-loan striker Daniel McBreen can educate youngsters Richard Brodie and Onome Sodje during his stay at KitKat Crescent.

Scunthorpe forward McBreen, who has agreed one-month terms with the Minstermen, opened his Blue Square Premier account with a 39th-minute far-post header during last night's 2-0 home victory over Stafford Rangers.

Stuart Elliott had broken the deadlock just three minutes earlier with a thundering free-kick that McEwan likened to Robin Van Persie's set-piece stunner for Arsenal against Sunderland at the weekend.

But the City boss was equally impressed by McBreen's effort and hopes Sodje and Brodie, who both played a part in last night's game, were paying attention.

McEwan said: "Daniel gets hold of the ball up there and has a vast amount of experience that we hope he will pass on to young Sodje and Brodie, because they both have potential and are learning what the game is all about.

"His goal was a typical centre forward's goal - a great header back in the direction that an excellent cross from Martyn Woolford had come from.

"I worked with Peter Withe when I was at Sheffield United and he was one of the finest English centre forwards of his era. Whichever side of the pitch the ball was on he would pull away to the far post. That's what Daniel did and that's what Brodie will learn to do."

McEwan also praised the character his side showed to win in front of their own fans just three days after being booed off following the 4-1 defeat to Histon.

He said: "The way we have bounced back says a lot for the players and I thought they were outstanding. The first half was the best football we have played for a while.

"We could have had a hatful if it had not been for some good goalkeeping and good defending, but we're just pleased with three points and a clean sheet, because that's what football's about.

"We've been conceding far too many goals and I'm delighted for the whole team, not just the defence."

The City boss added that question marks over the quality of opposition should not detract from his side's display.

Stafford have won just one of their opening 15 Blue Square Premier games but McEwan said: "It doesn't matter who you are playing, you still have to beat them and it was a good performance.

"They won 3-1 at Weymouth and they can be stubborn, as they were when they made it difficult for us here last season. Sometimes playing teams at the bottom can be just as difficult as taking on the likes of Stevenage and Aldershot because they are scrapping for survival."

McEwan recalled Manny Panther, Darren Craddock and Sodje for the game, with Nicky Wroe, Ben Purkiss and Alex Meechan dropping to the bench but resisted wholesale changes.

He added: "We did not want to make too many because we've only lost one game in five. You can't throw everything out of the window because of one match. We've got to kick on and climb the table."

The only negative last night was a crowd of 1,784 - the club's lowest home gate for a league match since a 1-1 draw against Leigh RMI back in September 2004.