YORK City goalkeeper Chris Porter's indecision led to his substitution at half-time by manager Billy McEwan during Saturday's 2-0 defeat against Morecambe.

McEwan also felt that Porter could have saved Garry Thompson's 30-yard free-kick that opened the scoring for the home team on 29 minutes.

David Stockdale made his first appearance of the season in place of Porter during the second half at Christie Park and McEwan could now favour the 20-year-old 'keeper when City travel to Hereford United for their next match on December 10.

McEwan said: "You can't keep telling people the same things week in, week out only for them not to register.

"If I feel the goalkeeper is not doing what I think he should be then he's like any other outfield player and I can make that decision and everybody has to abide by it.

"I wasn't happy and that's why the substitution was made. I can't be having indecision between my back four and my goalkeeper and that's what was happening.

"The free-kick also looked as though it went in easy, especially as it was 30 yards out.

"The young boy has been doing well with the reserves. He was a bit nervous at first because it was a big thing coming on but he made a few good saves and he did OK as he's only a kid."

McEwan also disputed the validity of the free-kick awarded against David McGurk for an alleged foul on Shrimps' Michael Twiss that led to the opening goal.

About Lancashire official Ian Nolan's decision, he said: "It was a million miles away from being a free-kick but then the referee was calling them by their Christian names and nicknames."

New loan signings Evan Horwood and Terry Barwick both made their full debuts at Morecambe and McEwan was pleased with their first games in City colours, adding: "I was quite pleased with the young boy Horwood. He's only 19 but I felt he did well. He's raw but Sheffield United think a lot of him because he's on a four-year contract there and I thought the quality of his distibution was there for everybody to see.

"Terry Barwick also showed why we have got him in. He just needs matches but he can certainly win the ball for us."

Saturday's 2-0 defeat meant the Minstermen completed their November programme without a goal in any of their four matches during the month and McEwan admitted: "One goal in five games is a worry."

Updated: 09:58 Monday, November 28, 2005