"I’VE been saying for a while somebody was going to get a hiding – and it could have been the Portsmouth game because we might have had three or four more goals."

It may all have come too late, but York City boss Jackie McNamara insists Tuesday night's 3-1 home victory over Pompey has been on the cards for some time.

Goals from Bradley Fewster, Lewis Alessandra and Luke Summerfield kept City's very slim hopes of Football League survival alive, and left McNamara pleased and frustrated in equal measure.

The Minstermen boss said: “We’ve had good displays before and not taken advantage of situations.

"I’ve been saying for a while somebody was going to get a hiding and it could have been this game because we might have had three or four more goals.

“They got a goal back out of nothing because of a bad mistake from the keeper, but we still had more chances and I think we saw a difference from the team that lost 6-0 at their place.

"We looked stronger and fitter than the opposition, which was pleasing after playing so long with ten men at the weekend.”

McNamara also highlighted the performances of several individuals and reserved particular praise for Josh Carson, who was given a rare start out of position at left back.

“I thought Kyle Cameron was outstanding alongside Scot Bennett and it was Luke Hendrie’s best game for York with his energy, defending and ball in for the second goal,” the City boss declared.

“Josh Carson also deserves a special mention because he did very well in a position that’s not his usual one.

“I thought he was excellent and he did himself justice having only found out he would be playing on the day of the game.”

Summerfield scored the goal of the game with a 30-yard thunderbolt and McNamara said: “It was a fantastic goal and he’s got that in his locker.”