STEVE WATSON has hailed a worthwhile pre-season outing for York City at Ossett United, where Kurt Willoughby’s 53rd-minute goal settled the contest 1-0 in the Minstermen’s favour.

It was not as slick a spectacle such as those City fans have been treated to against Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough - rather it showed that York could get a job done in the face of resolute opposition with a much-changed side.

There were just a handful of senior first-team players dotted throughout the squad, which largely comprised new signings, academy players and trialists.

And that most players got at least around half an hour is cause for cheer for manager Watson - as is the number of up-and-coming City players who got game time against a Northern Premier League east division side.

“We got what we needed to out of it,” said Watson. “We got important minutes into three or four players who needed to catch up – Kurt (Willoughby), Sam (Fielding) and Michael Woods.

“We’ve come away with a clean sheet and a win.

“There are things we need to do better. We’ve had some great performances. That was a gritty performance.

“We might get a few games like that where we have to mix things up and go more direct, which we can do with (Mark) Beck.

“It wasn’t a quick football pitch so you’ve got to find ways.

“The best thing to come out of tonight was that we have managed to get the youth team integrated alongside senior players.

“Apart from Paddy and (the trialist right back), that’s Tim’s (Ryan, youth team coach) team for next season. That’s a great experience for them.”

The victory at Ossett was City's fourth win from five this pre-season, during which the Minstermen remain unbeaten.

On Saturday, York travel to National League outfit Notts County (3pm) for their final warm-up fixture before the National League North season kicks off on August 14.

Left-back Scott Barrow, who sustained an Achilles injury against Middlesbrough, might miss out on both.