YORK City man-of-the-match Shaun Pejic admitted Steve Morison’s opening goal was crucial to the outcome of Saturday’s FA Trophy final.

The Minstermen have won just one of their 56 fixtures this season after conceding first – December’s 3-1 victory over Ebbsfleet at KitKat Crescent.

Morison’s 68th-minute deadlock breaker was, therefore, an obvious psychological blow to Martin Foyle’s men before Lee Boylan added a second in stoppage time for Stevenage.

Former Wrexham defender Pejic said: “The first goal was crucial.

“If we’d have got it, we would have been favourites to win.

“As a defender, I’m also disappointed to get beaten by goals from set-plays. I think a dodgy goal was always going to settle it and, for the first, Morison tried to shoot, it came off his toe end but he still managed to score after a rebound.”

Despite the result, Pejic was satisfied with his Wembley display, saying: “I’m disappointed to lose although everyone’s reasonably pleased that we got here in the first place.

“That’s still a big achievement for any footballer and I enjoyed the occasion. I was personally pleased with my performance considering I was slightly out of position at left-back.

“It was a great venue to play and I’ve no regrets about how I did.”

Pejic is still unsure where he will be playing football next season and will wait to hear whether he is offered a contract with City before he decides to pursue a possible option of playing in America.

He added: “I’m no clearer about my future yet because I’ve been concentrating on getting this season out of the way.

“Obviously, the first task was keeping the club in the league and then it was all about enjoying the big day out, so it’s a case of job done now really.

“We will see what happens in the next few days now. I’m keeping my options open and I don’t want to say that I will be staying or going.

“I’m waiting to see what is the best offer that comes along and then I’ll enjoy my football wherever I’m playing.”