YORK City bounced back from midweek defeat in some style on Saturday by comprehensively beating Blyth Spartans 4-0.

It was not just the scoreline that was emphatic but the performance too, particularly in a devastating first half-hour.

City gave their visitors no room to breathe and, seemingly, before Blyth knew it, they were 3-0 down and had no way of getting back into the game.

A controlled second half in which a close-range Kurt Willoughby finish wrapped up the points eased the Minstermen to victory.

Here are five things we learnt.

1. Hancox is a worthwhile acquisition

Mitch Hancox has joined City from National League North rivals Hereford for a month's loan and made his York debut on Saturday. Though relatively untested by Blyth, he was no-nonsense when called upon, though his distribution could have better.

After the game, manager Steve Watson revealed that the left-back had not even met his team-mates before the weekend, so expecting a peak David Ferguson performance would probably have been unfair.

Still, whether or not the Hereford loanee shines during his month at York, he is worth having on the books until Scott Barrow returns. Having a dedicated left-back - and one with demonstrable experience - means City can finally field a team mostly in their preferred positions, and not have to worry about what's going on behind.

2. McLaughlin is better in the middle

One man who will be breathing a sigh of relief is Paddy McLaughlin, who has deputised on a few occasions for Barrow, including in Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at Boston United.

When speaking to the media, he stoically says he will gladly do his best at left-back (where he has, on occasion, played before this season) but his verve when pushed back into the midfield was palpable.

A defining moment of City's first-half determination came when Akil Wright lost the ball from a poor pass straight to a Blyth player - who immediately lost out to McLaughlin. From 15 yards inside his own half, McLaughlin burst forward and played in Clayton Donaldson, who teed up Mackenzie Heaney for City's third goal.

3. Wright continues to impress with versatility

To be clear, the "defining moment" of the first half was the terrier-like recovery and drive, not the wayward pass from Akil Wright. In Sean Newton's continued absence, Wright keeps on proving his footballing intelligence.

Normally an imperious midfielder who breaks up play at will, Wright on Saturday was towering at the back, and he belies his slight-ish frame with some serious strength on the ball.

4. Heaney and Dyson show great balance

Left-footed Heaney started Saturday on the right, right-footed Olly Dyson in the middle and Kurt Willoughby on the left.

Between them, the livewire attackers got two goals and an assist. The experiment worked.

More than an isolated tale of tactical success, it further illustrates how Heaney and Dyson bounce off each other. Last season City’s attacking midfield looked lopsided, with the central Harry Bunn and right-sided Dyson the brightest sparks. Now, the left (or is it the right?) is just as potent.

5. Blyth must buck up - fast

Saturday was possibly City's best showing this season - but Blyth were truly woeful. Their slide is only going to worsen unless something drastic changes.