MANAGER Jackie McNamara admitted York City were lucky to win their first home game of the new season, but praised his new squad’s fighting qualities.

A scrambled second-half goal, credited to Matt Fry, saw the Minstermen secure a scrappy 1-0 victory over Macclesfield to make it four points from six following the 1-1 opening day draw at Maidstone.

The clean sheet also represented City’s first in 18 competitive matches, which McNamara believes will prove a boost for goalkeeper Scott Flinders – the only surviving member of last term’s squad to feature in the first two matches.

On a welcome three points, McNamara said: “The main thing was the victory. Our performance could have been better, especially in terms of the passing during the first half when we looked a bit nervous and apprehensive in our first home game.

“They’re also a decent side and caused us problems, but the goal gave us a lift and the crowd a lift and, whilst we were a bit fortunate and rode our luck a bit, I will take that, because it was a massive win for us. Scott will take a lot of confidence from that clean sheet too.

“He made some good saves again and he’s got lads in front of him now who will put their bodies and heads on the line to make sure we don’t concede goals. As the game went on and the going got tough, Jack Higgins did that and there’s a lot of fight in the team, which is pleasing.”

The Minstermen will now run the rule over injured duo Fry and Scott Fenwick ahead of Saturday’s Bootham Crescent meeting with Boreham Wood.

Both had to be substituted against the Silkmen, with McNamara adding: “Matt was feeling his groin and Scotty his ankle, so we will see how they are in the next couple of days.”