STEVE WATSON believes Dan Maguire's goal at the weekend will help his confidence during what has been "a frustrating season".

The highly-regarded 27-year-old striker has found the net just twice for York City since his summer move from Blyth Spartans, with various injuries restricting him to 11 league appearances.

As such, he has not realised his best form in front of York fans yet - though his strike in the 1-0 win at Kidderminster Harriers gave a snapshot of what he has to offer.

Harriers debutant centre-back Alex Penny did not get enough on a header back to his keeper. With good anticipation and two touches, Maguire nipped in onto the loose ball, rounded Will Mannion and buried it with his left.

Watson said: "You don't need me telling anyone that he's had a frustrating season - frustrating mainly for him but also for us and the supporters. None of us have seen the best of Dan yet.

"Even today, he got a good 60 minutes into him but he was blown, you could see when he came off.

"It was very important that Dan got that goal for his confidence."

Maguire was deployed up front from the off with loan striker Kurt Willoughby, who has since been recalled by parent club AFC Fylde, who lost 5-1 at the weekend at Dover Athletic.

The Aggborough victory was the first time this National League North season top scorer Jordan Burrow had not started.

On the change up top, Watson explained: "We change partnerships every training session just to see what's happening and they look really sharp.

"You play against a back three where their wing-backs play as high as they did, you're looking for players to spin round corners and I think them two did that well.

"We didn't create an awful lot. Jordan's our top scorer, he's had a fantastic season for us, but we thought we'd try that out, and without creating loads, they both did well in spells."

At the other end, keeper Pete Jameson produced a vital save from Ashley Hemmings to ensure Maguire's goal was not in vain.

"I think he's the best keeper in the league," Watson said. "When called upon, he was there for us. He's certainly been there for us more times than not."

Like Burrow, right-sided wing-back Kallum Griffiths is a rare absentee from the starting 11. Watson said he "wouldn't have been fit for Hereford" and so he was replaced by Adriano Moke on the flank.

However, midfielder Paddy McLaughlin came off before half-time after a clash of boots with Alex Prosser, with Moke moving into a more familiar role in the centre of the park and Griffiths returning to his usual berth.

"Paddy took a fair old knock," Watson added. "He doesn't come off very often. It's an impact injury, it's not a pull, so it will be a pain threshold thing. I'm hoping he'll be no problem for next week.

"Greeny took a fair old whack on the ankle. Like Paddy, Greeny doesn't come off very often."