York City boss Billy McEwan was grateful that Amy Rayner did not award a late penalty against his side during Saturday's 0-0 draw against Kiddermister Harriers - but also felt the Leicestershire official wrongly disallowed his team a goal at Aggborough.

McEwan admitted goalkeeper Chris Porter was lucky not to have conceded an 81st-minute penalty for his trip on home striker Iyseden Christie but believed Andy Bishop was wrongly penalised for a push on Harriers 'keeper Daniel Lewis before he put the ball in the net early in the second half following a Darren Dunning cross.

The City boss said: "We were a bit fortunate that they were not given a penalty. Put it this way, I would be disappointed if my side had not been given it but referees have to make decisions and sometimes they go for you and sometimes against you.

"I felt it was a poor decision by the referee when she disallowed Andy Bishop's goal. It was a fair challenge in my opinion but you can't compete with the goalkeeper any more.

"If you touch him and he drops the ball it's a free-kick. The protection 'keepers get now is unbelievable."

McEwan also prasied Bishop for playing at Aggborough despite suffering a family bereavement prior to the match and not training with the squad since his return from National Game XI duty in Belgium.

The Minstermen boss said: "Andy has had a difficult week and I asked him if he wanted to go on the bench but he wanted to play, which was important, and I thought he did well."

McEwan was pleased with his side's first clean sheet in six Conference outings since September and was happier with an improved second half performance at Kidderminster after a disappointing opening 45 minutes.

He said: "I wasn't happy at half-time as we did not string any passes together but we created a lot more chances in the second half and played better. It was also pleasing to get a clean sheet because their front two (Christie and Taiwo Atieno) would trouble anybody in this league but I thought we coped with them well."

The City manager confirmed he is still hoping to strengthen his squad ahead of Thursday's deadline for 2005 loan signings, saying: "We know we are still light in certain areas of the team and the squad."

No new signings can be made after November 24 until the transfer window reopens in January.

Southport have declined York City's offer to bring forward their away match at KitKat Crescent from Tuesday, January 24 to Saturday, December 3. Both clubs will now have a free weekend.

Updated: 10:00 Monday, November 21, 2005