McGurk makes his comeback in style and wins praise from Mills

McGurk, 30, had not played for the Minstermen since New Year’s Day, 2012, but was a key factor in his side’s goalless draw at promotion hopefuls Fleetwood Town.

The former Darlington defender missed the second half of York’s Blue Square Bet Premier play-off final winning campaign last term due to a series of niggling knee, throat and calf problems.

More recently, he has been forced to watch from the bench as an unused substitute, but an injury to Chris Doig gave him his chance.

Delighted manager Gary Mills said: “I’m really pleased with how Dave played because you are never sure how players will perform after being out for so long.

“His timing of headers and reading of the game was excellent and his performance might mean I don’t have to go out and get another defender in the transfer window.”

The visitors were the better side with home goalkeeper Scott Davies making two fine first-half double saves.

He thwarted Alex Rodman by pushing away the on-loan Aldershot striker’s 25-yard drive and then recovered when Jason Walker blasted a powerful follow-up effort at him. Moments later, he kept out Paddy McLaughlin and Matty Blair in quick succession.

The second half was a more even affair as Walker missed the target with a great chance for York.

York goalkeeper Michael Ingham had to be alert to keep out a late drive from Steven Gillespie.

Fleetwood Town: Davies; Beeley, Goodall, Atkinson, Howell; McGuire, Marrow, Milligan (Johnson, 46), Brown; Ball (Gillespie, 70), Titchiner. Unused substitutes: McNulty, McLaughlin, Maxwell, Allen, Barkhuizen.

York City: Ingham; Parslow, McGurk, C Smith, Fyfield; Kerr, Potts (Bullock, 82), McLaughlin; Blair, Walker, Rodman (Oyebanjo, 70). Unused substitutes: Musselwhite, Reed, Platt, Allan, Challinor.

Referee: M Brown (East Yorkshire)

Man of the match: David McGurk.