YORK City director Sophie McGill has hailed Billy McEwan's Conference manager of the month award as "another positive in a great week".

The April accolade comes after McEwan led the Minstermen to fourth place in the table and a promotion play-off berth, following a run of four wins and one draw during the month, including wins over high-flying rivals Burton and Oxford.

It is the third time McEwan has won the gong in his time at KitKat Crescent having picked it up in February 2006 and, jointly, in August at the start of this season, and he will be presented with champagne by Conference officials on Friday when the Minstermen host Morecambe in the first leg of the play-off semi-final.

Communications and community director McGill said: "Billy's absolutely elated and really proud to have won the award. I think it's just another positive in what is proving to be a really great week for the club.

"I think he's done a great job. What I think has been important is the fact he's managed to keep the players focused and calm during what has been quite a tense time.

"I think that's where they really came through on Saturday (in the 1-0 win over Oxford). They were very composed from start to finish but they also played with a lot of passion.

"He's done a sterling job in keeping them in the right frame of mind."

McEwan gave his players the day off yesterday, and McGill backed that decision in the run-up to Friday's big game.

"I think it's about keeping the right balance between working hard in training and staying relaxed," she said.

"Everybody is just looking forward to it. We're delighted to be in the play-offs - that was the big achievement. Everybody wants to enjoy it, and let's see where it takes us."