York City manager Martin Foyle was disappointed that his side were forced to settle for a draw with Blue Square Premier leaders Oxford United at the weekend.

Striker Michael Rankine's first goal for the club from open play on 71 minutes appeared to set them up for revenge following their unlucky opening day defeat at the Kassam Stadium. But Simon Clist equalised ten minutes later before the Minstermen had defender James Meredith sent-off for a second bookable offence.

Foyle told the Press: “I’m very disappointed not to win, but it was a fantastic spectacle for Conference football. We played some absolutely super stuff at the right times. They only had one shot, which you have to give credit to our defence for. They have worried me recently, but I stuck by them despite looking at a few other things in training.

“They gave a good reaction to that, but I don’t just want that for the big games. We need the same for the FA Cup match against Bedworth, because that game won’t just be a case of rolling them over.”

And he had special praise for goalscorer Rankine: “I thought Michael Rankine was fantastic. He was unplayable, and that’s what he can be like.

“We have got his weight down and he’s worked hard at his game. All strikers live off scoring goals and he’s had to be patient with Michael Gash and Richard Brodie doing so well, but he looked like a Football League player out there.”

Foyle was also delighted with the bumper 4,302 attendance that included a sizeable increase of over one thousand spectators in the home section.

“A crowd of 4,300 is brilliant and the waving flags looked great again. We are unbeaten in the league at home and there’s a bit of optimism now. Hopefully, the fans will come back after that performance because, if we keep getting 3,500 supporters, it will make a big difference to the playing budget.”