5 Things We Learned from York City's 2-1 defeat at Harrogate Town

For the first time since Gary Mills’ departure back in September 2017, the York City starting XI only featured one player from the squad that the three-time Wembley-winning manager left behind. Of the six players still at the club who were signed by Mills, a total of four – Hamza Bencherif, Adriano Moke, Sean Newton and Jon Parkin – were completely left out of Sam Collins’ squad.

Dan Parslow, meanwhile, was an unused substitute on his return from injury having been overlooked for most of the season, while Josh Law was the only Mills recruit selected. Given the wealth of experience all those players boast in the division above and higher, it is a genuine cause for frustration that, in the main, their collective contributions haven’t been greater since Mills’ sacking.

Five – before the later addition of Law – played significant parts in restoring some pride at the club following the calamitous Jackie McNamara era, coming within a minute of preserving National League status by displaying top-ten form during the second half of a 2016/17 campaign that ended with an FA Trophy final victory at Wembley. None of that quintet, though, were used as City expectedly headed out of this term’s tournament at Harrogate in a stark reminder of the two contrasting directions both clubs have headed since that triumph at the national stadium.

It is an interesting statistic that none of Mills’ direct successors at Tamworth, Gateshead, Wrexham or, indeed, during his first spell in charge of the Minstermen were able to muster a better win percentage, suggesting that the two-way loyalty and team togetherness that the Brian Clough disciple bases his managerial ethos on can make it difficult for a different boss to get the equivalent results from the same group of players. The pre and post-Mills standards of Bencherif and Newton seemingly support that theory.

After he replaced Mills at Bootham Crescent, Nigel Worthington ruthlessly culled the majority of the double-Wembley winning squad as the club looked in genuine danger of becoming the first-ever to go straight back down having won promotion to the Conference. Onerous contracts and a reduced capacity to reach financial settlements due to the club’s tumble through the divisions have made that process more difficult, firstly for Martin Gray and now Collins, but the latter’s team-sheet at Harrogate appeared to suggest that he believes those who have been at the club the longest must carry the greatest responsibility for the side’s sixth-tier struggles.

2 City can set the pace out wide

It is hard to recall York City boasting rapid threats down both sides of the pitch since Ashley Chambers and Matty Blair were terrorising Conference defenders for Gary Mills during the magical 2011/12 season. Wes York has, so far, failed to live up to expectations following his summer arrival from Gateshead, but on-loan Rotherham winger Alex Bray has looked the part when the team get the ball to him in the final third.

The forward bursts of both players, though, worried the Football League hopefuls’ full-backs at Harrogate, with speed of mind, as well as body, resulting in Bray’s opening goal. If York can find some consistency too, then the duo might add some much-needed potency to an attack that is currently the fifth-least threatening in National League North.

3 A forceful midfield replacement will be needed for Lewis Hawkins

Much of Lewis Hawkins’ work has not been eye-catching for the Minstermen, but he has been a presence in the engine room. His willingness to get involved almost got him a goal at Wetherby Road and eventually led to Alex Bray’s opener when he managed to head on a hopeful ball forward from Nathan Dyer, resulting in confusion between home keeper James Belshaw and defender Ryan Fallowfield that the former Swansea reserve punished.

Hawkins might not be as aesthetically pleasing as his replacement at the weekend Alex Harris, but his ability to win the ball in advanced positions, break up play, hold shape and make important interceptions will need to be matched in the next starting XI against Brackley, following his recall by parent club Hartlepool.

4 The Minstermen faithful remain a league above, even if their team isn’t

City supporters accounted for 39 per cent of the gate at National League Harrogate, with 523 making the trek across the A59. That represented a terrific turnout, given the sub-zero temperatures and their team’s struggles this season, and was subsequently recognised by sporting director Dave Penney, who said: “Weather conditions were extremely difficult for everyone and the supporters who turned out for the game were a credit to the club.

“The way they cheered on their team in freezing, wet, weather was inspirational to Sam and the players. The commitment and passion they show is appreciated by everyone at the club.

"Although Saturday's result was not what we wanted, we always have a better chance of success when everyone pulls in the same direction as they did so impressively."

5 Joe Ironside’s loan move is not panning out as planned

The arrival of Joe Ironside at Bootham Crescent was greeted with significant fanfare, as manager Sam Collins admitted he felt lucky and surprised to have secured the services of the 20-goal-a-season striker. But, five weeks later, the on-loan Kidderminster forward, is still to score for the Minstermen and was only given the last five minutes to prove his worth at Harrogate.

That match represented the second successive occasion in which he has been the team’s third sub, having been left on the bench the game before and something needs to happen quickly if Ironside is to avoid returning to the Midlands in January without fulfilling his potential for City.