IT was no stroke of tactical genius to bring match-winner Kurt Willoughby on at half-time in York City’s 1-0 win over Leamington on Saturday, John Askey has revealed.

The striker netted a 65th-minute free kick after replacing midfielder Paddy McLaughlin – who had had to dash off in anticipation of the birth of his child.

Willoughby has form for changing games from the bench as part of a tactical tweak (viz. his second-half performance in the remarkable comeback win over Morpeth Town) but on Saturday, it was purely serendipitous that he came on when he did.

“The reason why is that Paddy’s wife was due to have a baby any second so he had to shoot off,” manager Askey smiled.

“Hopefully everything is okay with Paddy’s wife and the baby. We wish them well.

“I’m sure Paddy will be nearly as pleased that we’ve won.”

The National League North victory was City’s first in four, following on from two draws and a midweek defeat to Boston United.

It was not an easy watch, though, and the laborious way City went about the fixture looked, in part, like the culmination of their gruelling Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday fixture schedule.

York players can now breathe a sigh of relief that they have a blank midweek coming up to prepare for Saturday’s trip to Bromley.

“It’s been a tough three or four weeks and the players have worked really hard,” Askey said.

“They keep working hard and they keep fighting. Our keeper again hasn’t had a save to make.

“Teams are coming here now and putting everybody behind the ball. It is difficult. We’re just pleased that Kurt came on and scored a great goal.”

On his half-time advice – which preceded a slightly improved second period – Askey added: “Just be patient and if we keep trying to play, they’ll tire.”