LUKE Summerfield has insisted he is happier when he is creating goals rather than scoring them.

The 27-year-old playmaker curled in a spectacular equaliser during Saturday's 2-2 draw at Stevenage to net for the second time this term.

But he has also set up team-mates for exactly half of the Minstermen's ten goals during the opening five weeks of the new campaign.

That tally of five equals his assist contribution for the whole of last season, when he netted four times.

Summerfield has already been joined on the scoresheet during 2015/16, meanwhile, by fellow midfielder James Berrett (three goals) and Eddie Nolan, who opened his City account at Stevenage.

That goal was also teed up by Summerfield, who told The Press: "I'm not a greedy type of player and I take more pride in helping other people score goals by serving up chances on a plate.

"I really don't mind if I finish the season on 20 goals or two as long as somebody is hitting the back of the net and we're performing well and getting results.

"If I got ten assists that would be perfect for me – but as a midfield, we have all started really well and, hopefully, the goals will keep flooding in."

Summerfield added that the team have been aided on that front by regular dead-ball drills at the training ground, with his strike at Stevenage following an exchange of passes with captain Russell Penn from a short corner routine.

The ex-Plymouth midfielder explained: "We've tried a few different set-plays this season and, as soon as the skip was shouting me, I knew he was going to set it back. Then there was only one thought in my mind.

"I've been putting enough crosses in, so I tried a shot and, luckily enough, I hit it as hard as I could and it went in."

Summerfield went on to hail the heroics of goalkeeper Scott Flinders for what he felt were the two best saves he has witnessed on a football pitch, from Brett Williams' penalty and Tom Conlon's free-kick.

"We did enough to win the game but, in a way, we were lucky to come away with a point as well because Flindo was unbelievable and kept us in the game," reasoned Summerfield.

"I think he made the best two saves I've ever seen in a game. The lad did nothing wrong with the penalty and hit it well – and the save from the free-kick, in my eyes, was even better.

"Scotty's a big old boy and he proved his class at Stevenage. In fact, his consistency this season has been second-to-none."

With Penn, Emile Sinclair and Josh Carson all coming off the bench at Broadhall Way, and others to return from the treatment room, Summerfield also reckons the 17th-placed Minstermen have a squad capable of climbing up the standings this season.

He said: "We have enough strength in depth, as the subs proved at Stevenage when they changed the game for us, and squad selection is hard for the gaffer all over the pitch.

"If you look at our defence, I think the lads who aren't in the team could get into any other side in this division and that bodes well.

"We've also got Jake Hyde and Michael Coulson to come back, which can only be a big boost. Coulo has not played a game yet but his quality is second-to-none in this division, as he proved all last season."

Summerfield also felt the Stevenage draw illustrated the tactical flexibility and versatility that now exists within the squad.

Former Republic of Ireland international Nolan started the game as City's midfield anchorman but moved to right back when Penn was beckoned from the bench and manager Russ Wilcox switched to 4-3-3, with Summerfield saying: "We set up a bit differently from the start at Stevenage and it worked in the first half.

"We did really well defensively and were comfortable out of possession and, away from home, you know you're not going to have as much of the ball as you do at home.

"But we had a horrible spell and a crazy few minutes in the second half when we conceded two sloppy goals before then showing the resilience we have in the squad by making changes to get back in the game, with the skipper coming on and giving us a big boost."

Like Penn, Summerfield has been playing through games with a foot injury that caused him to miss last month's home game against Yeovil.

On that problem, he said: "It's nowhere near where I want it to be and me and the skip have been ploughing on really with our little niggles. The recovery has been a long process but it's getting there."