YORK City boss Billy McEwan is refusing to splash out big wages on potential transfer targets.

Speaking after last night's encouraging 0-0 pre-season home draw with Leeds United, McEwan admitted that he has been unwilling to meet certain players' wage demands over the summer.

But the City chief also believes that he is now finding it easier to entice quality players to KitKat Crescent following last season's play-off campaign.

He said: "The name of York City has a bit more respect than when I first came here. It's a big thing now to get a trial here.

"We are no longer a pushover and the word is spreading. There's a lot of competition in our dressing room now.

"I fielded two different teams against Leeds and that would have been unthinkable two or three years ago. We are building all the time but we have got to be prudent with finances as always.

"Teams like Torquay and Stevenage have got big money. I've got a reasonable budget and need to manage it correctly.

"I won't pay £800 or £900 a week for players. Some I've spoken to have wanted that and my budget could allow me to do that but then, instead of a squad of 20 players, I'd probably have 17.

"I can get two players for that money and they will be two that I can work with and improve rather than a more expensive one who might not do it."

McEwan, pictured right, fielded five trialists in last night's match with former Grimsby Town defender Matt Bloomer starting the game alongside David McGurk.

Bloomer, 28, has also played for Hull, Lincoln, Telford and Cambridge but left first club Grimsby in May after a second spell at Blundell Park.

The City boss also used the second-half to run the rule over ex-Bradford City winger Joe Brown, former York College student Brian Dutton, released Hartlepool defender Carl Jones and Blyth Spartans goalkeeper Adam Bartlett.

Brown, 19, scored four goals in 22 appearances for Bradford but only made three starts for the Bantams.

Centre-back Jones, 20, played two first-team games for Hartlepool but did not figure during 2006/2007 while, since leaving York, Dutton has turned out for Cambridge, Eastleigh and Weymouth, where he finished last season.

McEwan will give all the trialists, along with a couple more, another opportunity to impress at Newcastle Benfield during the Minstermen's next first-team friendly on Wednesday night, adding: "We want to have a good look at them. I don't expect miracles from one performance. It used to take me four or five games to get my edge back."

McEwan went on to praise the efforts of his seven summer signings as well as the performance of trainee left-back Andy McWilliams, who played in the second-half.

Former Hartlepool midfielder Phil Turnbull, in particular, caught the eye and McEwan said: "He's a good footballer who wants to play so he's my type of player. He's got to toughen up a bit but he knows that.

"All the players who played their first game for York City handled it very well and I'm pleased with them.

"It was a cracking game of football in difficult conditions and our players' touch was good considering it was our first game back."

The City boss was also delighted with an attendance of 4,119, swollen by 2,119 travelling fans.

He added: "I did not expect that type of gate and I'm just sorry the Leeds fans got wet."

Vics switch suits Billy

City's home fixture against Northwich Victoria, scheduled for Monday, March 24, has been switched to Tuesday, March 25 with a 7.45pm kick-off.

City boss Billy McEwan asked for the change to give his side an extra day's rest after the trip to Rushden & Diamonds the Saturday before.

A spokesman for the Minstermen said: "The club would like to thank Northwich Victoria for their help and co-operation in agreeing to change this fixture."