"WE looked dead positive when we conceded," praised York City manager Steve Watson following his side's 3-1 pre-season triumph over Notts County.

Dan Maguire opened the scoring in the first half with a good finish from David Ferguson's clever ball before Macaulay Langstaff netted in the second half.

County pulled one back with 10 minutes remaining - but City's reply was instantaneous as the in-form Alex Kempster headed home from Kallum Griffiths' corner.

And it is this response that pleases Watson, on a day when there was much to laud for the boss after besting the Magpies, only recently relegated from the Football League.

"They had some good players who have played at a higher standard of football - all good footballers but I though we kept to our shape and game plan well.

"We've got good options going forward, four very good strikers, strong mids and a strong defence," he said.

"Our system that we've been working all pre-season looked really solid.

"As you would hope by the last game of pre-season, we looked probably the best we have, everybody knew their jobs and everybody stuck to their jobs.

"The only downside is that we'd done enough to come away with a clean sheet, but that's a small part.

"What was pleasing was our reaction to losing a goal - we looked dead positive when we conceded.

"There were some great individual performances. Everybody on the pitch has done themselves the world of good."

York's attack throughout pre-season has been a great talking point with the busy summer recruit Maguire complementing the powerful attacking play of Jordan Burrow and Kempster. This was also Langstaff's first goal of pre-season.

Asked if there was any player he was most pleased with across the team, Watson said: "It's difficult to pick out any one individual. The team looked strong.

"Andy Bond got man of the match and I wouldn't argue with that but I thought there were a number of candidates.

"You want to get 90 minutes in the team but you're sitting there looking at four very good, in-form strikers.

"I know that I could put in two of the four at the moment and they would be a massive threat."

Steve McNulty was substituted at half-time as a precaution for a calf issue while Griffiths came off late with a tight hamstring.

Meanwhile, Jake Wright has gone out on loan to National League North outfit Boston United.