YORK City interim manager John Askey has heaped praise on his patchwork centre-back pairing following Tuesday's confident 1-0 win over Alfreton Town.

With neither the suspended Matty Brown, nor the injured Josh King to turn to partner Sean Newton at the heart of the defence, Askey turned to Akil Wright, who has proved his worth at the back more than once already this season.

And the midfielder once again delivered, cutting out passes and providing a driving force from the back as he helped keeper Pete Jameson record another clean sheet.

"He's done well there before," Askey commented of Wright. "Sam's (Fielding) got Covid so that's why he's not been involved.

"What Akil gives us there is the space and he's decent in the air.

"He did well, as well as Sean (Newton), and that's where we controlled the game from."

Ahead of the game, Alfreton were eighth in National League North to York's 13th, and had already proved their stubbornness when coming from behind to beat Curzon Ashton 10 days prior to Tuesday.

But York looked entirely unfazed and were as in control of proceedings - particularly in the first half - as they had been during their 4-2 win over strugglers Blyth Spartans.

Paddy McLaughlin's neat finish on the hour mark was richly-deserved reward for an encouraging display.

"Especially at home, where you can pass the ball, you've got to have the confidence to play out," Askey said. "When we do play out, we've got to know what we're doing.

"That's why I was so pleased today."