YORK City striker Craig Farrell has admitted that it was a "massive relief" to end his 11-game wait for a goal.

Farrell had failed to scored in ten previous outings for the Minstermen - 15 if you include pre-season friendlies - before he netted the first goal for his new team during Saturday's 2-2 home draw with Southport.

But the 23-year-old ended his drought in emphatic style with a first-time finish and believes he will now take the confidence of getting his first goal into Saturday's big game at Conference leaders Oxford United.

He said: "It was a massive relief. When you're not scoring, you try not to let it bother you but any striker is lying if they say it doesn't.

"I've just tried to keep getting in the positions so that one would eventually go in because if you hide you will never score.

"Hopefully, now I've got that all-important first one out of the way, it will set the ball rolling and become the first of many."

With strikers often judged on their goal tally alone, Farrell also expressed his gratitude to City's supporters and manager Billy McEwan for showing their continued faith during his barren run.

He said: "The fans have been brilliant. I have had a frustrating time but they have all been very supportive.

"I was substituted against Kidderminster in the last home match before Saturday and they gave me a good reception and that really helps, so I would like to thank them. When you don't score for a while, you also feel the manager's not happy with you but he's been terrific and took the pressure off me a bit and I'm hoping I can repay him with more goals."

Despite Farrell's effort, City had to rely on a Lee Hoolickin own goal to earn a share of the spoils after trailing twice against Southport. But ex-Leeds United trainee Farrell felt the final scoreline was an unfair reflection on the overall balance of the game.

He said: "If you look at the stats, we outplayed them from start to finish. They had three shots all game and did not win a corner while we had nearly 20 goal attempts.

"It was unbelievable and just one of those days where we could not find a cutting edge but, in the same way that we must not get too confident when we win, we must not get too disheartened when we don't."

Farrell also added that the club's current home record of two wins from six is a bit of a mystery. "I can't put my finger on the reasons for that at all. I don't understand it.

"We try to play every game in the same way. We try to pass the ball but unfortunately, in some home games, we have not got the results.

"Away from home has been a different story and we are looking forward to a massively important game at Oxford because they are the best team in the league at the moment."