STEVE WATSON has praised "a job well done" after York City beat Hebburn Town in the FA Cup - but has highlighted some areas for improvement.

A first-half goal from Michael Woods allied to a second-half brace from veteran striker Clayton Donaldson eased the Minstermen into the third round qualifying of the Cup.

But it was, at times, a tricky watch. Play was often disjointed and misplaced passes - of which both sides were guilty, but dominant City more so - were too common.

York seemed to lack composure in the final third, particularly in the first half, and could be profligate in front of goal.

Still, City will be pleased to be past FA Vase winners Hebburn, who - playing two tiers below the Minstermen - might have been real banana-skin material.

York go into the draw for the next round, to be played on October 9, on Monday.

Watson said: "The first goal's vital in the FA Cup against teams from lower down because they then have to come out and you'd like to think you have the quality to pick them off.

"They were very resilient. They're a team close to my heart, close to where I was brought up, and I didn't want to see them come here and go back up without feeling that they've done themselves justice - and I think they did.

"In that respect, it was a job well done from everybody.

"If you'd said 3-0 and into the hat for Monday, you'd be happy," he continued.

"I was happy with a lot of things today, individual performances and moments. The goals were good and the clean sheet was good.

"But there's also a lot in general that I'm a little disappointed about.

"The tempo of the game - I know it's a warm day and I know we controlled possession for large spells - but I think it's difficult, from my own experience as a player, to switch it on and off like a tap. We're coming into the league next week.

"It's not a massive criticism of the lads but we did have a chat about that after the game."

On the occasionally loose passing, Watson commented: "You know players are capable of better and you scratch your head sometimes when you know players are capable of so much better giving what you'd call elementary passes away.

"But it's very difficult to do anything about that while the game's going on.

"You've got to hope that was a one-off game for some of them with their distribution."

Mark Beck was brought off at half-time to be replaced by Sam Fielding. Watson explained afterwards that Beck had been ill on Thursday and did not train on Friday, going straight in to the starting 11 on Saturday.