YORK City's youth team were undone by a set-piece during a 1-0 defeat at unbeaten Mansfield.

The Minstermites were the better side during a gruelling game in Nottinghamshire but lost when an unmarked Stags player headed in from a corner.

Striker Nick Kennedy had the visitors' best opportunity to score but, having outmuscled a Mansfield defender, he rushed his shot from 25 yards when he might have been better advised to go one-on-one with the keeper.

City academy manager Andy McMillan was disappointed by the result but encouraged by his team's display, reasoning: "Mansfield were very direct and based their game on fighting for the second ball and we are still trying to work out how we lost the game because we totally outclassed them.

"There were more positives than negatives although we maybe didn't test their keeper enough with crosses and shots. They also scored from a corner when we didn't stick with our man and he was given a free header.

"Other than that, our keeper Kieren Price made one good save but that's all he had to do during the game. Our stats were quite high in terms of sloppy passes and unforced errors though and we will be looking to tidy that up in our next game."

Centre-back Josh Dobie, who is on work experience from Liverpool, impressed again, as did Sam Fielding and Declan Leen.

City's youth team now host Hartlepool today, kick-off 11am.

Academy games will also be taking place on adjacent pitches at City's Wigginton Road training ground with supporters welcome.

Admission is free and hot beverages are also available.