PROUD York City boss Russ Wilcox hailed an “immense” display from his ten-man side during a 0-0 home draw with Plymouth.

Stephane Zubar’s 20th-minute sending off saw the Minstermen contend with a numerical disadvantage for more than three-quarters of the match.

But City restricted their promotion-chasing visitors to just two shots on target all afternoon while Jake Hyde and Luke Summerfield both had great opportunities to secure maximum points for the hosts.

Plymouth boss John Sheridan admitted his side could have lost 3-0 at Bootham Crescent and Wilcox confessed: “I was so proud of the players.

“We played with ten men for 70 minutes but you couldn’t tell. We had to change our game plan after the sending off by sitting a bit deeper in a 4-4-1 and playing on the counter attack and it nearly worked because we had some outstanding chances to win the game.

“Jake will have been disappointed not to have come away with a hat-trick and Luke Summerfield showed his character to run 70 yards for a chance that was well saved having done his defending for all of the game. There’s a tinge of disappointment that we didn’t win but it was an immense performance.

“We are unbeaten in four games and, at half-time, I told the players we had got a point and challenged them to hold on to that and then try to push on and win the game. They did that and everybody played their role.

“We restricted Plymouth to a few half-chances and deserved to win because we were the better team with ten men.”

Wilcox added that he feels his team’s impressive work ethic is being matched by the quality of the football they are now playing.

“The players are showing great character,” he said. “They’ve all got big hearts but you can only get so far running around.

“You need quality as well and they’re showing that in abundance. We’re passing the ball well and are growing as a group and moving forward.”

The City chief did express his disappointment in Zubar, though, after the on-loan Bournemouth centre back thrust his head into the face of Plymouth defender Peter Hartley.

He became the fourth City player to receiving his marching orders this season, following on from Russell Penn, Ryan Jarvis and Brad Halliday with Wilcox saying: “We talk about a lot of things and one thing we always stress is the importance to keep 11 players on the pitch, as well as making sure that any indiscipline comes from the opposition.

“I don’t think there was any contact from Stephane, but I’m not sure there wasn’t intent either or whether we will have any grounds to overturn the decision.”

With City not planning an appeal, Zubar will now face a three-match ban with the Plymouth game representing the last of his current loan spell from Dean Court.

Prior to the match, Wilcox had signalled his intention to keep the Guadeloupe international on board but is now looking for more time to consider the merits of an extension for a player that will not be available until the final day of the transfer window.

“It’s a little bit early to think about that,” the Bootham Crescent boss explained.

Following Zubar’s red card, John McCombe was introduced to the action with striker Wes Fletcher sacrificed.

McCombe has started eight consecutive matches on the bench but the 29-year-old defender, who was a mainstay during last season’s play-off push, will now get an opportunity to reclaim that starting place with Wilcox enthusing: “He was outstanding.

“He’s had to be patient and has been very unfortunate because I know he was one of the key men during the club’s success and 17-game unbeaten run last season. I’ve felt for him because he lost his place through injury but Stephane stepped in and has done a great job.

“You need competition for places and, even though John’s been frustrated and I understand that, he has carried on working hard and done his extra training and fitness work. He’s a top professional and he’s got another opportunity now to stamp his mark on the starting XI.”

Wilcox went on to express his gratitude again for the vocal backing his side received at a bouncing Bootham Crescent.

“The support has been outstanding in recent games,” he said. “I’ve found it incredible.

“I have been at clubs where, if things aren’t going well, then everything goes very quiet, but our fans are so noisy and it’s driving the players on. It’s great for the players to play in front of that and it’s a pleasure for me to be working at such a positive club.”