YORK City manager Gary Mills cannot believe that Northern Ireland continue to overlook goalkeeper Michael Ingham .

The Minstermen ’keeper performed brilliantly to help his side win 1-0 at Rotherham United in the first round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy last night but, having won three caps for his country in the past, has again been ignored for international duty this week.

Mills, however, will continue to champion his goalkeeper’s cause, despite being frustrated that he will be losing midfielder Paddy McLaughlin for Saturday’s home match with Chesterfield due to his call up to the Northern Irish under-21 squad.

The City boss said: “Inghy was absolute tops for us (last night). Even at his age, sometimes players can take a while to realise how good they are but he’s growing in confidence all the time.

“I’m surprised he’s not making the Northern Ireland squad. I’ve told them about him and I don’t think he can do any more but I will be making more calls to them now and showing them the DVD of last night’s match because he deserves it.”

Mills hailed a disciplined display at the New York Stadium from his side with recalled attacker Matty Blair netting the winning goal on 80 minutes.

The City chief added: “You can’t always have the possession and dominate games and, when that’s the case, you have to be disciplined and keep your shape until that chance comes along. When it did, like so many times last season, it fell to Blairy again and he’s stuck it in for us.

“The most important thing, though, was to get that first clean sheet because that’s vital.”

Mills also had praise for lone central striker Jason Walker , whose shot was blocked prior to Blair’s match-winning strike, and on-loan Leeds United left-back Charlie Taylor for another impressive performance.

“It was the best I have seen Jason Walker in the second half for a long time,” Mills said. “He held the ball up, won his headers and made things difficult for them.

“That’s what he’s about and we need more of that from him. I also thought Charlie Taylor was not only the best player for us but he was the best player on the park.

“I was delighted with him as I was Clarke Carlisle, who had his ankle in ice after the match after going over on it in the first minute.”