Mills praises ice-cool goal ace Coulson (From York Press)

York City boss praises ice-cool goal ace Michael Coulson

12:00pm Monday 17th September 2012 in Sport By Dave Flett, Sports reporter

YORK City manager Gary Mills admitted he never expects ice-cool Michael Coulson to miss a chance after the former Grimsby winger grabbed his fifth goal of the season in a 1-1 draw at Exeter.

Coulson gave the Minstermen a second-half lead against a high-flying host team that had won their last four League Two games prior to Saturday’s St James Park clash.

Home striker John O’Flynn went on to snatch an 83rd-minute equaliser for the Grecians, leaving Mills with mixed emotions at the final whistle but he was very clear in his assessment of Coulson’s prolific start to his City career.

The Bootham Crescent boss said: “Couls has come up with another goal and showed great movement off the line. He looks like he will score every game when he gets in that area of opportunity.

“He doesn’t panic in front of goal and that’s the difference between a good player and a poor player. His goal against Chesterfield was a great finish as well and, when he gets in those positions, I always feel he will score.

“He’s a good player who found himself playing in the Conference but I was delighted to be able to bring him to York. Maybe at his old club he did not get into the type of areas he’s getting into now but I feel I know what his strengths are.”

On his fluctuating feelings at the final whistle, Mills added: “The dressing room was a bit quiet afterwards.

“We came away to Exeter and got a 1-1 draw but we were disappointed.

“We didn’t quite see it out and they got a chance and stuck it away.

“That was hard to take after travelling all that way but we will learn from that.

“Other than the goal, they did not really hurt us.

“We stayed patient to get a goal and I really couldn’t see them scoring but, going away, we have given another good account of ourselves to get a big, big point so you could say it’s a case of the two Ds. I’m delighted with the way we played but disappointed we could not see the job through but we are building confidence and belief and we know we can win football matches so we go to Burton next to try to get more points.”

Midfield enforcer Jonathan Smith will be available for that Wednesday night clash with Mills confirming that his withdrawal just past the hour in Devon was not caused by injury.

“He’s fine,” the City chief added. “I just decided we needed fresh legs because it’s hard work in there.

“I am paid to make decisions and people should not take that part of the job lightly. Making difficult ones is one of the most important things in the game but I felt it was the right time to do it.”

Mills also expressed his gratitude to the near 200 City supporters that made the long trek south west, saying: “I would like to thank all our supporters, whether they drove to Exeter or came by train.

“It means a lot that they travelled all that way to cheer us on and then had to go all the way back.”