YORK City boss Billy McEwan has stressed that he is still in the hunt for new strikers after watching his side draw 0-0 at home to Stafford Rangers last night.

McEwan missed out on Halifax Town hit-man Ryan Sugden and Burton Albion forward Jon Shaw before the transfer window closed at midnight on Thursday.

But clubs can still take players on loan before the window reopens on January 1 and, with Clayton Donaldson and Craig Farrell still the only senior strikers on City's books, McEwan remains keen to add to his attacking options.

A temporary move for Shaw, who stayed with the Brewers because of injury doubts to Daryl Clare and Steve Scoffham, could now be resurrected and McEwan said: "The door has not been closed in terms of bringing in forwards. We need to bring another one in at least - and possibly two."

About reports that Burton had also made a deadline day bid for Donaldson, McEwan added: "They enquired about him and it's nice people are showing an interest in some of our players but he's only into his second season here and nobody will be leaving unless we get an astronomical offer."

The City boss, who was travelling to Sussex today to watch next Saturday's opponents Crawley Town take on Northwich, admitted he was frustrated by last night's second half display against Stafford.

He felt his side should have been awarded a penalty on 68 minutes for a push on James Dudgeon but also believed the team missed the suspended Steve Bowey's experience, energy and leadership qualities.

He said: "The first half was excellent but the second half was very, very disappointing with all the players, individually, below-par. We probably missed Steve Bowey's energy because he's influential in the way we play.

"He gets people going and his experience helps. When you are digging in like we had to in the second half you need somebody out there who's a leader and can boss other people around. Without him, we don't really have that because there are a lot of young players here.

"It was frustrating that we did not play as well as we can and that we have dropped vital home points because that now puts more pressure on us to win our away games.

But we didn't lose, we kept another clean sheet and we are still unbeaten, so I can't be too displeased."

McEwan admitted that he will permit himself a first look at the league table this season with his side having completed six games.

With Grays losing 1-0 at home to Burton, the Minstermen actually moved up to second and another positive from last night's game was the lively performance of 58th-minute substitute Martyn Woolford, recruited from Frickley Athletic only 24 hours earlier.

McEwan said: "He gave us some penetration on the left and once he gets used to fulltime training and the tempo we play at then I'm sure he will get stronger, quicker and fitter.

"He's been doing well at Frickley over the last two years and I don't see him as a gamble.

He's only a young boy now but he can be a creative player for us and I'm sure he will be an asset."

Former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Lewis McMahon also made his City debut after Neal Bishop received a knock.

Added McEwan: "Lewis isn't properly match-fit but he's got qualities that I'm sure we will see when he's fully fit."