Gardiner’s pride after York

---

MATT GARDINER admitted Harriers management were proud of their players after a hugely impressive performance at York City.

Though a draw rather than a victory, the composed nature of the showing can’t be understated.

Coming off the back of the frustrations from the draw against Darlington last time out and given the hosts’ status one of the division’s other play-off chasers, this was no easy task.

So the work-rate and determination on display earned the team plenty of plaudits.

Speaking after the game, Gardiner admitted that only a moment of magic from veteran Jon Parkin prevented Harriers from taking all three points home.

So he was happy to see the many positives, commenting: “We are very proud of the boys; I thought they were excellent from minute one all the way through.

“We were very good defensively but were very brave on the ball.

“York are a good team on a bit of a roll but we’ve restricted them to very few chances and I don’t think Brandon has had a save to make.

“When you go away and the home goalkeeper gets man of the match, it gives you an indication of how you’ve played.” Matt Gardiner

“The way we’ve conceded is from the guy who has been doing it all of his career; it was a bit of quality and it’s not the first time he’s done it.

“So we’re very proud of what the lads have done and it gives us a good building block to take into the next game.”

Parkin’s fine goal will earn him plenty of plaudits, but undoubtedly York’s star performer was former Harriers man Adam Bartlett.

“When you go away and the home goalkeeper gets man of the match, it gives you an indication of how you’ve played,” added Gardiner.

“We weren’t just brave in terms of being without the ball and covering, but also brave on the ball – I thought we passed it really well.

“It opened up a lot of opportunities for us and that is what has enabled us to [test Bartlett so often].

“He has done well for them and kept us out; we kept trying and were disappointed to not get all three points but coming to a good team on their own patch, it’s a good point.”

NEXT for Harriers is the visit to Aggborough Stadium of North Ferriby United on Tuesday. You can buy match tickets in advance online.

---

---