INTERIM York City assistant manager Scott Barrow was delighted with his team’s 2-0 victory over Southend United on Saturday, despite it coming in the Isuzu FA Trophy and not the Vanarama National League.

Second-half goals from Fraser Kerr and Lenell John-Lewis capped off a much-needed win for York. 

Barrow has been placed in interim charge with Michael Morton, Paddy McLaughlin and Joe Stead, and the group celebrated a winning start to their temporary tenure.

“A game is a game and you want to win any game you are going to play.” Explained Barrow. 

“Whether if it is the trophy or the league, you want to win games. We haven’t done that since Maidstone, we haven’t done that and we haven’t been good enough as a team. 

“We haven’t been good enough, we’ve put in 45 minute performances here and there but where was the other 45 minutes? We need to put in 75 minutes, because you are going to have spells where it is going to be tough. 

“You’ve got to shut it out, which we did today and we came together. 

“I know this group of lads are buzzing, good journey home now not like last week. Hopefully we can go again now next week.

“Look at us last year, we were on a bad run last year but were still in the trophy. 

“It’s a day out at Wembley and you don’t really get that often. 

“We want to win games, it doesn’t matter who but we only made a few changes today and felt the team today that played deserved another go." 

John-Lewis’ goal was the result of a nervy spell for City, after Manny Duku’s penalty was fantastically saved by Blondy Nna Noukeu. 

However, Duku was able to retrieve possession and provide the assist for John-Lewis to tuck home the Minstermen’s second.

“The character to get the ball back straight away and to put a lovely cross in on Lenny’s head again. 

“Lenny scores away from home so I think I might have to keep him playing away from home and not playing at home! 

“It’s a credit to the lads, absolutely brilliant and happy smiles all round.”