YORK City boss Gary Mills has admitted Adriano Moke was unfortunate to be dropped for the 2-0 triumph at Chester.

The 27-year-old playmaker was relegated from the starting XI to the bench for the fourth time since mid-January for the Deva Stadium clash.

But Mills has been quick to stress that the latest demotion for the former Glenn Hoddle Academy graduate, who was heading The Press Player of the Month standings for April before the Chester trip, was more a reflection on the team’s need for midfield bite.

Explaining his decision to move skipper Simon Heslop into a central position alongside Asa Hall and recall Danny Holmes at right-wing back, Mills said: “I just felt that Hessie and Asa maybe have that mindset to win balls in there a bit more than Mokes, although Mokes has done well and was a bit unfortunate to be left out, which was the same with Holmesy when he was left out for the Bromley match.

“But the other two did well in there. Asa won a lot of headers and we looked strong.”

Mills also paid tribute to Vadaine Oliver who, despite being doubtful due to a back injury, scored his seventh goal and claimed a fifth assist at Chester since his January return from a half-season loan spell at Notts County.

The City boss explained: “Two days before the game, Vadaine was really struggling with his back, but we did a lot of work on it and I’m sure all the pain will have gone when he put the ball in the net at Chester.

“He worked hard for us again and that was his reward. He also won the header for Holmesy’s goal, which he’ll always do, because I’ve never seen anybody get up like him and he’s a player I’m really enjoying working with.”