JOHN ASKEY hailed York City’s 1-0 victory over Blyth Spartans in the FA Trophy as “promising” as the interim manager secured his first win at the helm.

York striker Mark Beck scored the only goal of the game on four minutes amid the horrendous weather conditions.

Having suffered an abject 2-1 home defeat to Kettering Town in Askey’s first match in charge and been on a four-match run without victory, the win provided a welcome boost to City.

Although the Minstermen rarely looked like doubling their lead after Beck’s early opener, Askey was impressed by the improvements his side showed.

“At the end of the day, that’s the most important thing,” the boss said of progressing in the competition. “There were a lot of good things and there were a lot of things that we can do better.

“But hopefully the people that came can see what we’re trying to do. Also, I’d like to thank everybody that came because they’re true supporters, because they came and sit in this today. Thanks to all of those.

“Today was promising. We’ve just got to keep working hard.”

After a strong opening, York struggled to build upon Beck’s early finish, allowing Blyth back into the game, though the struggling Vanarama National League North outfit could not convert their chances.

“I thought we started really brightly,” added Askey. “We moved the ball quickly and got into good positions. I think the first 10 minutes, we probably could have had two or three.

“Then we stopped doing what we were doing well. I thought we didn’t move the ball as quickly as we could have done.

“And we stopped going in behind which was causing them problems. We were trying to be too safe. One or two were making mistakes on the ball, but overall I can’t be too down on them.

“I think we can still do better off the ball and when we lose the ball. At times, we look wide open when we lose the ball. We’ve got to work on that and why that’s happening.

“People have got to get tighter to their men. But I think we saw an improvement.

“Blyth probably weren’t as good as Kettering were before but you can only beat what’s in front of you."