YORK City boss Gary Mills believes veteran striker Jon Parkin will have enjoyed a confidence boost from his 200th career goal and the brace that sent his team into the next round of the FA Cup.

Parkin’s two second-half goals cancelled out Liam Hogan’s header just before the break for hosts Salford to secure a 2-1 win in the second qualifying round tie.

The 35-year-old veteran had previously squandered great opportunities to reach the landmark during City’s 1-1 midweek home draw with Gainsborough and Mills reasoned that, despite the former Hull and Stoke striker’s goal-laden past, he will still be relieved to get back on the scoresheet and take his season’s tally to five.

Parkin’s first goal at Moor Lane came when he swept home a right-wing Louis Almond cross with a firm, first-time finish from eight yards.

His second, meanwhile, was a little more fortunate as Amari Morgan-Smith’s bobbling shot clipped his left foot and spun past deceived home keeper Max Crocombe.

On Parkin’s return to form, Mills said: “We all clapped Jon for getting his 200th goal, because he’s had a tough time trying to put the ball in the net. But he took the chance well after a great cross by Louis and, sometimes, it’s all about the quality of the ball in - a bit like their goal.

“Then, even though Amari tried to claim his 201st goal, the second one seemed to go in off Jon’s backside to get us in the next round, so I’m really pleased for him. No matter how old you are or what kind of career you’ve had, he’s a human being and he’s missed chances to get us another two or three points on the board.

“That’s not me blaming him because, as I always say, scoring goals is the hardest part of the game, but I think he needed that next one to give him a lift and, if the ball hadn’t gone in, I would have taken Jon off to bring Kaine (Felix) on, so that just shows you how quickly things change in football.”

Mills argued that the final result was a fair one, as he felt his team outshone National League North title favourites Salford, other than the lapse that led to Hogan’s goal from a free kick.

“I thought we were the better side in the first half so, to fall behind to a free header and go in behind at the break, was scandalous and a few words were said,” the City chief revealed. “It was poor defending and we made it hard for ourselves because, to go behind at Salford and, then, go on to win, is not easy.

“But the players put things right and, other than that 30 seconds when we switched off, we were excellent for the other 94-and-a-half minutes and, before we got the winner, we had two or three other chances to go in front. People are telling me they will win our league, but we produced a really good performance.”

Salford still hit the frame of the visitors’ goal three times in the second period with Jon Worsnop pushing a 92nd-minute Lois Maynard drive on to his crossbar and Mills was also quick to praise his keeper, who ended the match in discomfort.

“He cramped up and he’s the only goalkeeper I’ve ever know that happen to,” Mills explained. “But he’s a fitness freak and he might need a bit of a rest from the gym or to eat some fish and chips, instead of the healthy stuff he’s always having.

“Joking aside, though, I thought he was excellent. He pushed one on to the bar right at the end and commanded his area when needed. Alex Whittle was also immense at left-back.”

Michael Rankine, meanwhile, was not part of the squad for the game on medical orders, with Mills adding: “His blood pressure was sky high and, on the advice of the doctors, we were told it wasn’t safe for him to play.

“He’s on medication to sort it out and it runs in his family, so no football match comes above the health of anybody.”

Instead of replacing Parkin, Felix was introduced for Almond on the hour mark after the latter, used mainly on the flanks this term, had operated in a more central role behind Parkin and Morgan-Smith.

Outlining his thinking behind the switch, Mills said: “Playing there is probably Louis’s best position, but I just felt they were picking up a few more balls in that area.

“Kaine gives you that bit of pace and I thought they dropped another ten yards when he came on and we could put Amari back where Louis was and he’s a bit more defensive minded. I feel there’s still more to come from Louis and he knows that, but nothing happens over-night.

“We just need a bit more consistency and 90 minutes out of him from start to finish, rather than just up to the hour mark.”