JOHN ASKEY has admitted York City's performance in their 1-0 FA Trophy win at Matlock Town "wasn't great" - but the key thing is the victory.

It would be hard to call Saturday's game a watchable spectacle, as City continually belied their higher-league status with an unconvincing display on the ball and creating precious few chances on goal.

Matlock, who are challenging at the top of the Northern Premier League premier division, were no more inspired and neither keeper really had much to trouble them.

In that regard, Matlock were let off the hook a bit as the Gladiators, hit by injuries and suspensions, were forced to field the inexperienced Sam Ogden in goal (while manager Paul Phillips named himself on the bench). The 21-year-old keeper was once second-choice stopper in Matlock's reserve side, and he rejoined the Gladiators on dual-registration from Step 6 side Hallam on the day of the third round tie with York.

York might have benefited from testing the youngster more with efforts from range - but in the end, it was a touch of Ogden's naivety that helped secure the win for the Minstermen in injury time.

From a free kick 40-plus yards out, left-back Scott Barrow dinked a cross to the centre of the penalty area, where Mark Beck rose to head. Ogden had come rushing out to meet the cross and could only watch helplessly from the no-man's land as the ball looped into the net.

Still, the important thing for York - who were looking to build on last week's battling draw with Chorley - is that they got the victory and are in the hat for Monday's draw.

"To get the winner with a minute to go, it's the best time to score isn't it?" Askey commented.

"Obviously the performance wasn't great as regards a football spectacle.

"What we did do was work hard again."

Asked about instructions to test the novice keeper Ogden, Askey said: "That's what you're hoping to do. We didn't do that enough. You've got to get the crosses in.

"Sometimes, lads can come in and have a worldie. We didn't put him under enough pressure but there was that little bit of quality from Scott's free kick, and Beck is always going to be a threat in the air.

"As you say, it's a win."