1 Excuse making has been consigned to the past

The default stance of many a struggling side is deflection with extenuating circumstances often presented as unconvincing arguments for shortcomings. Apportioning culpability to poor officials has always been a fail-safe tactic in that respect, as those who enforce the laws of the game are never going to win any popularity contests and are easy scapegoats.

During this term’s travails, second halves at Bootham Crescent were far too often descending into scenes of flabbergast and outrage following every perceived wrong at the hands of the men in the middle, distracting at times from the quest for points as important focus was lost. Samuel Allison’s erratic performance at Nuneaton suggested that refereeing standards have not suddenly immeasurably improved, but City’s unrealistic reliance on those in charge to get every decision right has changed.

Mr Allison frustratingly blew his whistle at almost every suggestion of physical contact, penalising City players an unreasonable 24 times and dishing out five yellow cards to the visitors with, arguably, only Simon Heslop’s caution merited. But, while complaints might have been more justified than normal at Nuneaton, the Minstermen were in no mood for cries of victimisation and are taking responsibility for their own survival, rather than looking for assistance from outside forces.

Likewise, Liberty Way’s uneven pitch was one of the worst City will play on this season, but Gary Mills’ men adapted to it well, making allowances for the inevitable bobbles, just as they adjusted to the pace of rolling balls on Harlow’s 3G pitch in the Trophy’s previous round. The blame culture in football is entrenched, but excuses can only excuse failings for so long and, refreshingly, this group of City players are not looking for them.

York Press: 2 Mills’ team do possess a ruthless streak

Perhaps the only criticism that could be levelled at the side during their recent upturn in form is that their dominance in games has not been reflected by goals scored which, in turn, has meant fewer points accumulated than might have been the case. Before the trip to Nuneaton, the Minstermen had averaged exactly a goal a game from their last seven matches, despite managing 91 shots during those contests.

Even without the suspended Jon Parkin, who has netted 182 times in his career, City demonstrated, however, that they can be clinical by converting three of their first four chances in Warwickshire. Such certainty in front of goal could now prove crucial as Mills’ men look to press home their superiority in future games and the taking of early chances can also relieve some of the anxiety that can typify fixtures when the need for points is great.

York Press: 3 City’s current back three might just be the season’s best combination

Since being thrown together against Barrow, defensive triumvirate Hamza Bencherif, Yan Klukowski and Dan Parslow just one goal has been conceded in three matches and that was courtesy of a rare lapse from keeper Kyle Letheren. The unassuming Parslow has slotted back in as if he has never been away, which is some accomplishment, given that he hadn’t played for the club since November 2013 before his return last month.

His reading of the game remains immaculate and he has hardly put a foot wrong or misplaced a header. Bencherif, meanwhile, carries the kind of physical presence that will always be an asset at National League level and he has been an immovable force since his arrival from Wrexham.

Sandwiched between the two, Klukowski’s form remains a revelation, having been converted into a centre back at the age of 30. His concentration levels are highly impressive and, despite still being a relative newcomer to the role, he is rarely caught out of position.

York Press: 4 Simon Lappin and Sean Newton are forming a formidable midfield partnership

Understandably, given his lung-busting performance, Newton was not short of post-match plaudits at Liberty Way, but the freedom he enjoyed to tear around the pitch was assisted in no small way by Lappin’s discipline in the middle of the park. The former Premier League campaigner stationed himself in an area of the field, where he could compete for and pick up loose balls and only really strayed from that spot when he was required to deliver his dangerous set-pieces.

Newton still did his fair share of the defensive work too, using his big stride to charge back and help the team out. Whether he continues to work in tandem with Lappin remains to be seen, because Newton has been just as effective when used in defence, at wing-back, as an inside-left or up front, giving Mills great selection options.

York Press: 5 Somebody at Nuneaton cannot count

Mirthful mockery from knowing home fans greeted the gate announcement. Even the man with the mic seemed embarrassed when he said, with a measure of ambiguity, that “today’s attendance has been given as 687.”

The crowd was clearly closer to four figures with a strong contingent from North Yorkshire, leading to speculation that such a conservative number might have been miscalculated due to receipts for the game being shared between the two clubs – a theory that couldn’t be substantiated.