RUSS WILCOX hailed York City's best performance of pre-season after the Minstermen drew 1-1 with Sheffield Wednesday.

Defender Marvin McCoy's goal, his second in successive matches, threatened to spring a shock on Owls boss Carlos Carvalhal with York impressive, particularly during the opening 45 minutes.

Lewis McGugan ensured a share of the spoils but, following on from City's display against Middlesbrough and their midweek draw with Leeds, Wilcox is more than happy with his side's progress as the countdown continues to the League Two opener at Wycombe on August 8.

"I think so," said manager Wilcox when asked if this was the club's foremost display so far. "I think we are building up nicely.

"We are not getting carried away. I said before the Middlesbrough game that it is not about results but, if you do things right, there's a good chance you will get a result and we have done that well.

"We are not getting carried away but there are little building blocks that we are putting in place and certain things we are asking for."

Wilcox continued: "We mixed our game up well. Fitness-wise, we looked really good. We still have three weeks to go and we need to make sure we keep on top of that, keep developing and get more minutes into the players next time."

The City boss was pleased with a smart display from striker Vadaine Oliver, who caused the Sheffield Wednesday centre-halves a number of problems and was especially good in the air.

"Vadaine is going to be a handful," said Wilcox. "He is going to be a key player for us, hopefully, in League Two.

"We have got to keep him fit and fresh. He's our focal point and he was a handful against Championship defenders. He was my first signing and, hopefully, my most important signing.

"Looking at last season, that's where I thought we broke down. Any starting points, any time teams pressed us and we did have to go back to front, we couldn't retain the ball. We couldn't create pressure up there and it was coming straight back.

"That was the thought process behind that (signing). He's still only 23 as well, so he's still got a lot of development. He will want to go and play in the Championship. He has told me that.

"I haven't got a problem with that. I want to manage in the Championship and everybody should be ambitious. If you are, you will get more out of each other."

Former Scunthorpe United youth team captain Taron Hare was once again on show for City as a second-half substitute but Wilcox revealed that striker Danny Johnson, who played against Middlesbrough and Leeds, has signed for Conference outfit Gateshead.

On whether it was a surprise that he had spurned City for a Conference club, Wilcox said: "Nothing surprises me any more in this game. He's a Middlesbrough boy, so it is obviously closer to home.

"He may look at our squad and say 'am I going to play, am I going to be starter there?' He looks at the Gateshead squad and its 'will I get more games there and the chance to develop a bit nearer home?' Only Danny can answer that one. That's where we are with it."