ALEX Whittle insists York City are better equipped to beat tonight’s opponents Gateshead than they were during August’s 6-1 debacle in the north-east.

Along with skipper Simon Heslop, Whittle is the only other member of the starting XI that shocking summer night who played in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Boreham Wood.

The likes of National League novices Jack Higgins, Ben Clappison, Matty Dixon, Josh Robinson, Shaun Rooney, Jake Wright, Kaine Felix and Daniel Nti also featured in the International Stadium massacre, but Whittle argued the knowhow that manager Gary Mills has instilled at Bootham Crescent makes a repeat of such a result unthinkable.

“I don’t really want to talk about that game,” Whittle confessed. “It was a bad day at the office and we know we need to put that right.

“We’ve definitely got the squad to do that now. We’re a lot more experienced than we were at the start of the season when I was one of the oldest players.

“I was the youngest at 23 in the starting line-up against Boreham Wood and we’ve got players who have played a lot of games, so that guidance helps you.

“They cover for you and everyone is fighting for each other now.”

Whittle went on to admit he is proud to have avoided Mills’ mid-season cull, but places a bigger priority on the team’s safety rather than individual achievements.

“I feel I’ve been consistent, but still think there’s more to come from me,” he reasoned. “I’d like to score a couple of goals, but really just want to get out of the relegation zone.”

The ex-Liverpool academy player also switched to full-back as City lined up 4-3-3 at Boreham Wood, having operated in an advanced role since the change to a three-man defence in mid-November.

It was a tactical decision that didn’t perturb Whittle, who pointed out: “I didn’t get forward as much as I have been doing, but I played left back at the start of the season and last season, so I’m quite happy to play there.”

Equally, if Mills opts to revert to wing-backs this evening, Whittle will have few complaints playing to the left of Sean Newton and in front of Dan Parslow again

“I let them win the headers,” the 5ft 9in defender grinned. “They’re big lads and we help each other out down that side.

“Pars talks you through games and, although I still need to cover round for him, I’m really confident he’ll win nine out of ten headers.”