TOM Platt’s emergence was the “biggest highlight” of York City’s successful battle against relegation, according to manager Nigel Worthington.

First-year professional Platt had not featured in the first team at all before being given his League debut at Torquay by Worthington having been recalled from a second loan spell with Harrogate in Blue Square Bet North.

But the 19-year-old midfielder, who came through the Centre of Excellence ranks at Bootham Crescent, went on to start the last six games of the season, helping the team remain unbeaten in that time, alongside Dan Parslow and Adam Reed in the centre of the park.

Reflecting on the transformation of a team that had gone 16 games without a win into one that won four and drew two of its final six fixtures, Worthington said: “The loan players we brought in were all big plusses, as were the return to the team of David McGurk and Lanre Oyebanjo.

“But, when I look at the overall picture, the biggest highlight for me – the one that got me most excited and gave me a thrill – was young Tom Platt coming into the team and seeing him take to it like a duck to water.

“Watching the kid’s character, mental strength and ability gave me a great pleasure and he deserves great credit for his performances.”