RUSS Wilcox admitted that his York City side were “shocking” during the first half of today’s 1-0 defeat at Notts County.

A Scott Flinders blunder gifted home striker Izale McLeod the only goal of the game on 12 minutes but Ricardo Moniz’s men could have been out of sight by the interval following a one-sided opening period that saw them have 13 shots compared to the Minstermen’s two.

Wilcox was appeased somewhat by the visitors’ improved second-half display while stressing that the final outcome was still a fair one.

The City boss said: “First and foremost, I did say before the game that Notts County were the best side I’ve seen this season and they showed that in the first 45 minutes, although we were also shocking. We allowed them too much time on the ball and didn’t win our individual battles.

“There are almost 200 times in any game when the ball belongs to nobody but, in the first half, a black-and-white shirt ended up getting to it first every time. Notts County played to their max and we were way off the mark and, when that’s the case against a quality team, they can demolish you.

“They had done that to Crawley the game before and the one blessing at half-time was that we were only 1-0 down. In the second half, we stuck with it, gave it a right go, won more balls and our starting positions were better, so the application was there but we needed more quality in certain areas of the pitch.

“We also had chances to get a point late on but we didn’t deserve that on the day.”

Despite ultimately lamenting Flinders’ complete air-kick as the game’s defining moment, Wilcox has backed his summer signing to recover quickly from his set-back.

“It was a shocking goal but the good thing about Scotty is he put his hand up at the break and admitted that he had cost the team big time,” the City chief revealed. “Not enough players do that and it’s nice to hear such honesty.

“It’s a key position where you can win and lose games and, while they clearly deserved to win, to lose to that goal made it more disappointing. Scotty got us through the Bradford (Capital One Cup) tie though this season and his penalty save at Stevenage was worth a point as well.

“He’s also an experienced player who will bounce back. He will have made mistakes in his career before and, if you have a young keeper, then it can be a worry, but he will just be looking to the next game to put things right.”

Wilcox added, meanwhile, that he was not impressed by the late opportunities that substitutes David Tutonda and Anthony Straker both drilled into the sidenetting.

“I was disappointed with those two chances,” he declared. “If you’re a left footer going through that channel and you’re going to miss, you have to make sure it’s not at the near post because, if you fire it across, somebody might get a tap-in or it could lead to an own goal.

“But, unlike in the previous two games, the subs could not make a big impact on this match.”

Grenada international Straker was handed his first City outing since the opening day of the season with Wilcox having no problems concerning his attitude, pointing out: “He’s desperate to play and that’s pleasing because I’ve been at other clubs where players are happy to sit in the stands and pick up their money.”

The Minstermen lost Luke Summerfield after half-an-hour in Nottingham and his injury could give teenage replacement Ben Godfrey a prolonged chance in the first team.

With fellow midfielder James Berrett moving to within one booking of a suspension, meanwhile, Tom Platt could also be recalled from his loan spell at Harrogate Town.

On the mounting midfield problems, Wilcox said: “Luke was in the dressing room at half-time getting oxygen, which isn’t a great sign at all for upcoming games. He was concussed and also landed awkwardly on his back.

“The positive, though, was Ben Godfrey, at the age of 17, showed bravery again when he came on to get on the ball and carry out his dirty work. Luke could be missing for a while and he will be a big loss because he’s been outstanding with his goals and creative play, but there could be an opportunity for Ben to stake his claim for a first-team shirt now.

“We had also extended Tom Platt’s loan but we have an instant call-back and, with James Berrett one booking away from suspension and Luke injured, we might need to bring him back.”

Centre-back Dave Winfield has also been shown four yellow cards this term and, like Berrett, must avoid another caution before the end of November to steer clear of a one-match suspension with Wilcox believing that represents a remote hope, reasoning: “I think it will be just about impossible for him, as a centre-half, to do that because referees give too many soft yellow cards these days.”

On-loan Oldham striker Rhys Turner missed the trip to Nottingham after picking up a knock in training but is expected to return for Tuesday’s home match with high-flying Oxford.

“That will be another difficult game but you’re looking for a reaction after a defeat and we’ve had that before,” Wilcox added.