YORK City boss Gary Mills has told his players to move on from the “freak” 5-0 Blue Square Bet Premier defeat at Luton Town.

The Minstermen manager said he will not be wasting any time looking back at Tuesday’s heavy loss and is already focused on Saturday’s match against Forest Green at Bootham Crescent.

City had goalkeeper Michael Ingham red-carded after less than quarter of an hour and the Hatters then scored at will in the first period – as Mills had elected not to name a shot-stopper among his substitutes.

But Mills says he is using the result as “inspiration” to help York start another winning run. “It was a freak result and a freakish night,” he said. “It was just one of those games that happen. It’s not nice when it does. We were on a good run and we wanted to keep that going.

“It’s not a situation where I have to analyse the players’ performances and why we didn’t win. There are obvious reasons. We move on and we get ready for Forest Green on Saturday.

“I told the players I was inspired by the result and the situation to get ready for Saturday. It has to inspire you to put it right. We have taken 17 points from the last 24 and nine from the last 12. There aren’t too many teams that can say that. If we can maintain that, we will do well.

“That game is gone. There is no point in analysing it.

“We have learned that Chris Smith can’t play in goal,” added Mills with tongue in cheek.

“I asked Greg Young initially and he was umming and ahhing so Chris Smith went in. I think we all decided that Chris wasn’t the right man.

“Smudger (Smith) thought he let us down. Someone said to me that from the crosses he might have been better coming on to head the ball. But we have to move on and take the result in the context of the game.”

Despite Ingham’s red card, Mills says he has made no decision yet on whether he will include a substitute goalkeeper when the ex-Northern Ireland international returns from a one-game ban.

David Knight is expected to step in between the sticks for Forest Green.

“I don’t know,” he said. “I have never done it to be honest.

“At Tamworth it was because we couldn’t afford to have two ’keepers in the squad. I was fortunate at Tamworth that it (this situation) never happened to me.

“It’s never really been a big issue. Now it has happened, I’ll get asked the question.

“I think if Inghy comes across the same situation again, and someone goes round him, you have to let them score.

“Then we’ve still got 11 players and it’s only 1-0. We can carry on and get back into the game.

“He has made a rash decision, they have scored from the free-kick and it has been difficult for us. It’s very rare when it happens.

“I am still proud of everyone. The supporters were superb. I was proud of my players – they kept going.”