YORK City boss Billy McEwan had mixed feelings after yesterday's 2-2 draw at play-off contenders Accrington Stanley.

McEwan hailed 'a tremendous point' against fourth-placed Stanley but also rued his side's defending after the Minstermen let a two-goal lead slip.

Second-half goals by Jon Maloney and Andy Bishop put City in a strong position but the home team responded with two headers in as many minutes to share the spoils.

McEwan said afterwards: "It's a tremendous point really against a team who could have gone second had they beaten Burton on Friday night but I'm disappointed not to be a winning manager. Having gone 2-0 up away from home, I felt we threw away two points.

"The players have got to learn how to win football matches and have that belief and confidence that they can do it. I'm sure our fans, whose support was magnificent, will be as sick as me that we have not come away with maximum points because we thoroughly deserved to win. At least we gave them something to cheer about but we didn't win because we didn't defend at the back and we have got to work harder at stopping crosses."

The City manager praised top scorer Bishop after he netted his 11th goal of the season despite a continual knee problem that will require an operation in the summer and a chest infection that made him doubtful before yesterday's match.

Bishop, 22, has also only just recovered from whiplash after a car accident and McEwan said: "He was a big threat to them and took his goal superbly. Hopefully he can kick on in the remaining games we have got.

"He has been unwell but he put his neck on the line to play and he worked his socks off considering he didn't feel 100 per cent. He will also require surgery on his knee at the end of the season. It's nothing serious - just a niggle that we need to clear up."

Updated: 10:07 Tuesday, March 29, 2005