YORK City manager Gary Mills revealed he has even considered playing utility man Dan Parslow as a striker following his starring midfield role in yesterday’s 2-0 win at Alfreton Town.

Parslow, nominally a centre-back, started as a holding midfielder for the first time in his professional career at North Street yesterday but claimed man-of-the-match honours with an accomplished display.

Afterwards, Mills admitted he was reluctant to drop Parslow following the return from illness of skipper Chris Smith and he did not regret finding a place for the former Wales under-21 international at the final whistle.

Matty Blair and Lanre Oyebanjo scored the second-half goals to ensure the Minstermen stay fourth in the Blue Square Bet Premier table but, if his team are struggling to find the net in coming matches, Mills confessed he will not hesitate to pitch Parslow into attack.

The City boss said: “Ben Gibson was excellent against Fleetwood on Saturday but he was too ill to play so I decided to put James Meredith back to left-back and play Dan Parslow in midfield because it does not faze me playing him there. I’ve even thought about putting him down the middle as a centre-forward as I know he will give me everything.

“He was outstanding as a holding midfielder. He passed the ball well and kept things simple and he also takes pressure off the centre-backs when he plays in there because he wins headers.

“We’ve maybe missed Chris Smith because he’s not just been outstanding for us over the last few months – he’s been a colossus. He and Chris Doig have forged an understanding but I did not want to bring back Chris Smith and leave Dan Parslow out of our side – I want winners in my team and he’s a winner.”

Mills hailed a “brave” display from his team after losing their previous two matches at Newport and against Fleetwood.

The visitors also recovered from seeing Jamie Reed’s second-half penalty saved yesterday when the game was goalless.

The visitors also recovered from seeing Jamie Reed’s second-half penalty saved yesterday when the game was goalless.

The City manager said: “From start to finish, we dominated the game and looked more like ourselves than we have done recently. We wanted the ball and were brave on it and that is great, having lost the last two matches.

“Our movement was excellent. Reedy missed the penalty and we then missed two or three other chances but, as he does, Blairy came up with another goal to get us going and we never give in.”

Smith was substituted on 81 minutes with a tight calf muscle but is expected to recover in time for Saturday’s home match with Newport.

Winger Danny Pilkington will also be hoping to retain his starting place after receiving a recall at Alfreton.

Mills added: “I thought he did well. I just want to get a bit more belief and confidence into him because, when we do that, we will have one hell of a player on our hands.”

Mills paid tribute too to the 720 City supporters who made the trip to Derbyshire, many of whom got drenched in uncovered areas when the heavens opened for the last 15 minutes.

He said: “They made the trip to Alfreton and got soaked but hopefully they will have gone home happy with the result.”