CARETAKER-manager Viv Busby was full of praise for his young York City charges after watching them put up a strong fight against Middlesbrough in the North Riding Senior Cup quarter-finals last night.

The match ended 3-1 in Middlesbrough's favour but only after Andy Bishop had fired the visitors into an 11th-minute lead.

Busby said: "The lads did well, especially in the first half. We went a goal up through Andy Bishop and I thought the lads that played acquitted themselves well.

"The referee was a nightmare. Their first goal was well offside and the linesman flagged it, but the ref waved play on. We spoke to him at half time and he said he had messed up.

"It was a good tester for us and to be honest, it was just nice to play Middlesbrough. They had a young side out and so did we, so it was a good opportunity for all the lads."

Club skipper Steve Davis' rehabilitation took another leap forward as he completed 45 minutes in the centre of defence.

Busby said: "Steve Davis did well for 45 minutes and came off at half time.

"We might need to cajole him along nice and easy for a while but he is getting better with each week."

Meanwhile, Busby will take his continuing search for a loan figure to games tonight and tomorrow after failing to get any leads last night.

But there is still no news on his future as caretaker manager. Busby offered his resignation to the club board on Saturday after the dismal display at Burton but he is still waiting for the board to fix up a meeting to discuss the situation.

"Everything is still as it was," he said. "I spoke to them on Saturday and we're just keeping on with it. They said I could go look for some loan signings so that is what I am doing and hopefully we will get someone in sooner rather than later."

Updated: 10:50 Tuesday, January 18, 2005