NIGEL WORTHINGTON declared he was not afraid to take “hard decisions” after sacrificing goalkeeper Jason Mooney at half-time in York City’s 2-2 draw with Cambridge United in Sky Bet League Two.

The Minstermen manager turned to Michael Ingham at the interval after believing his summer recruit from Tranmere Rovers got more and more “nervous” as the first half went on at Bootham Crescent.

Mooney, who has played only a handful of professional matches, was tense and bullied under the high ball and Worthington said: “It was straight-forward. I had to make a change."

Asked whether he still had confidence in Mooney, Worthington added: “He’s there. When you are in this game, it is a hard game. He is one of two keepers so when the opportunity comes again he has got to go and take it.

“He has had the opportunity, it hasn’t worked for him (against Cambridge). Big people in the game bounce back. That’s what the game is about. It’s about strong characters. If you are weak in this game, you get out. It’s not a weak minded person’s game.”

He added: “Part of my job is making decisions and I am not afraid to make decisions if I think it is right for the team. I thought he looked very nervous. There is a lot of big players there – he is big himself – and he’s really got to believe in himself.

“He’s a good keeper, there is no doubt about that, but you have to make it happen. As the first half went on, I thought the more nervous he became.

“At 2-0 down, you think ‘all to gain, nothing to lose, make a change, try and keep a clean sheet and try and get back on level terms to go and win it’.

“They won’t get any sympathy off me and I am talking in general - all players . If they are not in the team, it isn’t my fault.

“It’s their own situation. I will pick the 11 I think is right for each game. I am sure I will get it wrong sometimes but I won’t be afraid to make decisions."