York City 0 Oxford United 1: Return of Blades striker is 
essential for York

First, he hopes the Minstermen can win at AFC Wimbledon and earn a televised second round tie at Wycombe that will provide extra income to strengthen his squad.

Then he must secretly wish that Sheffield United fail to defeat Crewe.

That would open the door for the loan return of Blades striker Diego De Girolamo, who proved such a hit with three goals in four appearances before being recalled by Nigel Clough to cover their cup commitments.

For goals are one thing that are in short supply at Bootham Crescent where York have not won since April.

No wonder Nigel Worthington stepped down in exasperation last month, allowing Wilcox to quickly return to management a week after being axed by Scunthorpe.

Of the Blades youngster’s possible return, Wilcox said: “Diego is one we are hopeful of getting back in. He’s been on the bench for United and I’m hoping that once they get their FA Cup game out of the way on Tuesday there will be a possibility of getting him back through the door because he has got that quality.

“I spoke to Nigel (Blades chief Clough) on Wednesday and he has been very good and kept me up to speed.”

York are the only side in the Football League without a home win – Leyton Orient have the same sorry league record but won in the JP Trophy – and Saturday’s defeat infuriatingly came against another side in the lower reaches and the one that they pipped for a play-off place last season.

However, there were positives, not least the 78th-minute return to action of Northern Ireland international Josh Carson, who has missed the last eight months with a cruciate knee injury.

“I’m delighted for him because he’s worked so hard since I’ve come through the building,” said Wilcox.

“He’s obviously been out a long, long time but he’s back ahead of schedule. I spoke to him on Friday and with us being a little bit short at the top end at the moment, I was looking for that bit of quality in the final third and I asked him if he could possibly give me 15-20 minutes and he was right up for it and he showed glimpses of his quality.

“The quicker we can get him back to match speed the better but when you havae been out with such a serious injury for so long you have to ease him back from off the bench.

“We have two or three like that including Wes Fletcher but you want to leave your goalscorers on the pitch. I have to be careful and look at the bigger picture.”

Another plus for York was the full debut of central defender and Bournemouth loanee Stephane Zubar, who kept his place after replacing ankle victim John McCombe, who had to be content with a place on the bench, in the FA Cup tie.

“I thought he was outstanding. He got us up the pitch; he was strong in both boxes; he did well with the ball and made good decisions on the day. He was aggressive in his manner and approach and is going to be a good addition to the group,” said Wilcox.

Three times in the opening stages, Zubar cleared dangerous balls down the middle but it was the Minstermen who were generally on top in that first 45 minutes.

With injured Deon Burton having returned to Scunthorpe, Fletcher and Jake Hyde, who have both been hit by a series of niggling injuries, were paired together up front for only the third time this season and, although they both worked hard, they obviously need time to gel as a partnership.

Left flank player Michael Coulson proved York’s most likely threat in that first half and when he cut in and let fly with his right, the ball struck the bar at the far post.

York forced seven corners in that opening half but Oxford scored from their first in the 35th minute when former Barnsley playmaker Brian Howard’s inswinging corner evaded goalkeeper Alex Cisak and dropped for teenage lone frontman James Roberts to tap home on his full league debbut.

York attempted a second-half comeback but made little headway despite some driving runs from midfield from captain Russell Penn, who set up Lewis Montrose for their best chance only to see goalkeeper Ryan Clarke beat the ball away.

Alfie Potter responded by forcing a full-length save from Cisak but Oxford should have wrapped things up when they broke in the 82nd and the division’s top scorer, Danny Hylton, operating in this game out on the right, fed Roberts down the middle only to see the striker hit the post as the York goalkeeper rushed out.

Only at the final whistle did the York fans vent their displeasure and Wilcox praised them for sticking with the side.

“I think that they can see how hard the players are working and how desperate they and the staff are to get that home win for them.”

On the bench for York was Brad Halliday, 19, who has signed on loan from Middlesbrough but who is ineligible for the replay.

York City: Cisak, McCoy, Lowe, Zubar, Iesanmi; Meikle (Straker 46), Penn, Montrose (Summerfield 70), Coulson; Hyde, Fletcher (Carson 78). Unused substitutes: Mooney, McCombe, Halliday, Platt.

Oxford United: Clarke, Riley, Mullins, Wright, Holmes-Dennis; Hylton, Whing, Rose, Potter; Howard (O’Dowda 73); Roberts. Unused substitutes: Meads, Raynes, Ruffels, Collins, Crocombe, Barnett.

Referee: S Duncan (Northumberland).