York City v Mansfield: York’s passing can help force back opposition

The Minstermen moved out of the relegation zone with Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Morecambe, but it could have been better with the promotion chasers only equalising late in stoppage time.

Nevertheless, Wilcox was impressed by the manner of his new side’s display and is looking for a repeat against the Stags.

He said: “There were loads of positives, but we have to take that performance into Saturday and Mansfield. We have to back it up.

“It was a good team performance and it would be wrong of me to break it down into individual players. From the goalkeeper through to the front of the pitch, I felt we were outstanding against Morecambe.

“That is the sort of performance we have to produce more often. We need that consistency, and if we do manage that and repeat how we played at Morecambe, we will get away from the bottom very quickly.”

York’s approach at the Globe Arena was much more pleasing on the eye with Wilcox having clearly told his new charges to get the ball down and play at every opportunity.

Full-backs Marvin McCoy and Femi Ilesanmi were also pushing forward at every opportunity in an attempt to bring width to the team.

He said: “I have told the players that if you manage to string together three passes, teams tend to drop off you. We did that great against Morecambe, we passed the ball and played with a real purpose.”

Burnley goalkeeper Alex Cisak has joined York on a one-month loan deal. The 25-year-old made two appearances for the Clarets last season, but has not featured this term.