YORK City manager Billy McEwan was left wondering how his side did not rack up a "cricket score" after Saturday's 2-2 home draw with Southport.

The Minstermen had 18 attempts on the visitors' goal compared to Southport's three but had to rely on a 75th-minute Lee Hoolickin own goal to earn a share of the spoils.

Craig Farrell had earlier ended his 11-match wait for his first City goal to cancel out Tony Gray's opening goal for Southport after just 24 seconds.

But the Sandgrounders forged ahead again on 34 minutes and City finished grateful for a point despite having a glut of opportunities to win the game comfortably.

A perplexed McEwan said: "We were fortunate to get a draw but we could have had a cricket score with the number of chances we had. Craig Farrell, Clayton Donaldson and Martyn Woolford all did things that made the crowd sit up but it was the final thrust, shot and pass that was elusive.

"We also played too long at times and did not play proper football. We've been inventive in recent weeks but we were too predictable against Southport."

McEwan was, however, happy with man-of-the-match Farrell's all-round contribution and the manner in which he opened his account for City, saying: "It was a great goal and he was unlucky not to get two or three."

The Minstermen boss was also pleased with the makeshift central-defensive partnership of Danny Parslow and Nathan Peat, who was recalled to the side when James Dudgeon was taken ill on the eve of the match. David McGurk was also ruled out because of the cut above his eye he sustained at Woking in midweek.

McEwan said: "Young Parslow and Peat did well considering it was the first time they had played together as centre-backs. I was pleased with them in general although we could have done better with the goals, esepcially the first one when careless play cost us."

There was additional praise for left-winger Martyn Woolford, who played despite missing training last week with an ankle injury. But midfielder Lewis McMahon was told he must maintain a good level of performance to stay in the team.

McMahon was replaced at half-time and McEwan said: "He was not dominant enough in the first half. He's in the side to pass the ball and he never did that at all."

City travel to runaway leaders Oxford United on Saturday and McEwan is pleased his side are without a midweek game after successive Tuesday night matches.

He said: "We have had a really tough programme and I'm grateful we will have a breather to get the players re-energised for the big game on Saturday. Oxford were here watching us and I'm sure their reports will be saying they will walk it if we play like that. But I'm sure our lads will be looking forward to playing in a nice stadium."