YORK City boss Russ Wilcox has hailed his fringe players’ mental strength.

Seven first-team squad members played during Tuesday night’s wind-swept, 1-0 North Riding Cup victory at Wearside League outfit Redcar Athletic with Anthony Straker’s 66th-minute penalty settling matters.

Along with Straker, Jason Mooney, Dave Winfield, Lindon Meikle, Lewis Montrose, Tom Platt and Ben Hirst were also on duty at the modest Green Lane ground and Wilcox was impressed by their fortitude in the face of adverse elements, including thunder, lightning, sleet, snow, wind and rain.

He said: “I think the game was all about the psychological side of football. It was a terrible night in unfamiliar surroundings with the wind blowing a gale and a bit of snow, so it was a mental test for the players that they passed with flying colours.

“I would have liked to have seen a bit more football played at times and a few more goals, but the lads showed a terrific attitude and application. It was also nice to get through to the next round and avoid any injuries.

“It’s difficult to say whether anybody staked a claim for the weekend in those conditions, but it was a good workout for everyone in difficult circumstances.”

Centre-back Winfield skippered the side during his first outing since suffering a thigh injury at the tail-end of September and Wilcox was pleased with the ex-Shrewsbury defender, adding: “It was great to see Dave Winfield get his first 90 minutes for 14 or 15 weeks.

“It’s always good as a player to know you’ve got that 90 minutes in your tank and he did well.”

Winfield, 26, marshalled a back four that included apprentices Liam Hardey, George Wilson and Josh Bowkett, with fellow Minstermite Ben Godfrey also operating in midfield.

City chief Wilcox felt that all the under-18 players benefitted from the match, which he argued provided further evidence of the need to reintroduce organised reserve-team football at Bootham Crescent next season.

“It’s good for the young kids to play with senior professionals and learn from them,” Wilcox reasoned. “They performed well.

“There were a few yellow cards on the night and that’s men’s football. It’s different to youth-team games and they have to get used to that.

“That’s why, long-term, we would like to introduce a reserve side if we can. I think you need that stepping stone between youth football and the first team to help the younger kids progress and we want to see youth-team players representing the first team in years to come.”

With the tie putting City’s current squad depth under the spotlight, Wilcox went on to explain that any further recruits during this month’s transfer window would not be drafted in to solely add cover.

“As a manager, you are always greedy but I know there are financial restraints,” he said of possible plans to bolster his ranks this month. “The chairman and board have been magnificent and very supportive of me and I’ve got to make sure that, if somebody does come into the building, they are looking to get into the first team.

“They’ve got to improve the squad. I don’t just want to bring bodies in.

“We are looking for quality and I would like to think I’ve done that since coming to the club. I must keep doing that because it’s my job to improve the team.”

Wilcox also wanted to thank Redcar officials for their warm welcome on a cold evening.

“Redcar were very good to us and the hospitality was first-class,” he said.