Cox may wheel and deal to keep loan signings

Cox was left with nine first teamers missing for the game with centre half Martin Riley pulling out of the game this morning with a back spasm.

But Crewe striker Vadaine Oliver made a solid debut up front while Huddersfield striker Daniel Carr, on his full debut, caused problems from wide right in the first half before going central in the second half and netting the equaliser.

Cox also has Jamie Sendles-White, from QPR, and Keiron Freeman, from Derby, on loan to bolster his injury-hit squad and said: “The chairman deserves a real pat on the back right now.

“I want to bring in better players to this club and affect the top of the table.

“But this might mean some players have to go out to bring the new faces in.

“You look at the quality additions we have made in the last two or three weeks, those are the kind of players I want to keep here for the rest of the season.

“I know our hands are tied a bit financially. But the chairman is being very proactive right now and we have had some very positive conversations about us achieving good things.

“We also have some very good players to come back. My wish is to get my full quota back and then we can be judged consistently from game to game.

“If we pick up a couple more injuries now we are really going to be struggling.”

He added: “This had definitely been the toughest time of managerial career. But, in the middle of all these injuries, we have still not lost many matches.

“You have to say that felt more like two points lost today. The first half was pretty even, but we were encamped in their half in the second half and had numerous chances.

“The boys deserve a lot of credit. We lost Martin Riley before the game and made a decision to go 4-4-2 half an hour before kick-off.

“I thought Vadaine Oliver was excellent leading the front line, but he cramped up so we had to throw Ollie Palmer on, which wasn’t ideal as he isn’t fully fit.

“We swapped round Rakish Bingham and Daniel Carr at the break and I thought we got a bit more space on the flanks, started to affect the game going forward, and looked more comfortable in possession.

“We had some chances that flashed across the six yard box that we need to start putting away. But it’s another point away from home and now we just need to start winning at home.

“Getting players back is a major factor is us starting to climb the table.”

York’s goal came from one of several poor kicks from keeper Sascha Studer, but he also made a superb save in a one-in-one when York caught Stags on the break.

“His kicking is something he needs to address in training. But I am not going to have a go at the lad,” said Cox.

“He pulled off a great save in the second half at 1-1.

“I am not expecting him to be a world class keeper at this moment. He is still a baby in goalkeeping terms. But his potential is frightening and he could go on to play at the highest level.

“With young players it’s good to play them then take them out the team and let them work on what they need to work on like I did with him earlier in the season.”

Stags will play a behind-closed-doors friendly on Monday to give Palmer and Chris Clements a chance to shake off the injury rust before next weekend.

To read the match report from York click HERE