GARY MILLS paid tribute to the player he first spotted playing for Midlands minnows Stratford Town after Matty Blair got the goal that sent York City to Wembley.

Blair’s 90th-minute header secured a 2-1 FA Trophy semi-final aggregate victory at Luton Town on Saturday.

His 16th goal of the season came only seven days after he was dropped for the first leg at Bootham Crescent, but Mills was full of praise for his summer signing from Kidderminster.

The City chief said: “Matty Blair played against my Tamworth team for Stratford a few years ago and I thought about taking him then. I went on to watch him three or four more times and decided against it.

“But he has come on and developed over the last few years and he’s got us the goal that takes us to Wembley. He’s had his bad patches and was left out for the first leg, but he put in a ten out of ten performance at Grimsby last Tuesday and caused Luton all sorts of problems with his work rate.

“He’s a great lad and it’s fantastic when somebody like that does what he has done. That goal will be with him for the rest of his days now – nobody can take it away from him.”

Mills also hailed the display of Jamal Fyfield, who supplied the excellent cross for Blair’s goal.

The former Maidenhead defender has been switched to left-back for the last three games and followed up his stoppage-time winner at Grimsby with another important contribution against Luton.

Mills added: “Jamal played one of the best left-back performances I have seen (on Saturday).

“He was excellent in his defending and joining in going forward. His cross for the goal was also one of the best you will ever see.”

Captain Chris Smith earned further accolades from Mills for his contribution to the team’s success.

“I thought my skipper was unbelievable,” the Minstermen chief said. “He was outstanding from start to finish and I’m not just talking about his performance on the pitch.

“On the bus down here, in the hotel the night before and in the dressing room before the game, he led the team brilliantly.”

A travelling army of 400 fans joined in the celebrations at the final whistle at a ground where two years ago ugly scenes had greeted City’s play-off semi-final victory over the same hosts.

The home fans were more gracious in defeat this time around and Mills added: “Fair play to our fans. I know a lot more would have liked to have gone down and I know the reasons why they didn’t, but the ones that did will have had smiles on their faces all the way home.”