WILL SMITH lauded a ‘resilient’ performance from York City which earned a point in a goalless draw with Rochdale.

Smith returned to York last week after requiring treatment for an injury at parent club Harrogate Town, and was immediately reinstated back into the starting eleven by Neal Ardley to help City secure a hard-fought point.

The centre-halve confirmed that there were doubts over whether he would return to York, but was glad to be back at the club, even admitting that he felt in perfect condition after his return to action this afternoon.

“I thought it was a tough, tough game and they were decent with the ball, but we stuck with our game plan and knew what worked from the week,” Smith told the Press.

“I thought the boys were resilient and every man put a shift in, we worked very hard for the full 90 minutes. 

“We weren’t very good on the ball and counter-attacking wise, but we’ve come here for an away day and it’s a clean sheet, a point on the road and it is a good result.

“A clean sheet is great for the defence, the goalkeeper and the whole team really, we can now build on that. 

“If we keep clean sheets then we have a chance to win games and put points on the board, so we can build on them. Thats a starting a point for us. 

“I’m perfect, I’m absolutely fine, I’ve done the rehab and I’m good to go again.

“Sometimes [there were doubts], I didn’t know how I was going to react to the treatment or to the jab, we finally got an injection sorted which helped me out massively. From then on it has been fine. 

“It’s a great feeling, it’s not nice to miss out as a player, but when I come in I have to prove and I have to put a performance in that makes me worthy of keeping the shirt. 

“I think that everybody in football knows that, it’s good to play with Cal [Callum Howe] because he’s experienced and it’s a good start to come back with a clean sheet. 

Smith also took the time to praise the supporters for their backing in Rochdale, and hopes City can reward the York faithful in the coming weeks with improved performances

“Brilliant. They have been brilliant since I’ve joined, they travel in their numbers and they’re always loud.

“It’s much better when we can put a performance in and make it a worthwhile trip, it’s not easy travelling week in week out away and it costs a lot of money, so we have to put the performances in to reward them with that.”