YORK CITY boss Russ Wilcox thinks nerves prevented his side from turning in a performance worthy of putting even further daylight between themselves and the relegation zone.

The Minstermen stuttered to a goalless draw at Bootham Crescent with Carlisle United, who are still in need of a few more positive results to ease drop concerns of their own.

Charlie Wyke, who resisted overtures from Hartlepool to sign for the Cumbrians, wasted the best first half chance when he directed a free header at York’s keeper Bobby Olejnik.

But York had a fantastic chance 16 minutes before the end to claim the points.

Michael Coulson’s shot was cleared off the line by defender Sean O’Hanlon before Emile Sinclair’s follow up was then thwarted by Troy Archibald-Henville.

The point did mean that both sides extended their advantage to second from bottom Tranmere to three points because of Rovers’ defeat at Northampton.

Wilcox said: “It was nervy to say the least on a difficult pitch. It’s not the way I want to play but the way the conditions are at the moment we’ve got to play more direct and get it up there a bit quicker.

“But we created enough to win. It was never going to be a terrific footballing game. It was two teams desperate for points.”

York: Olejnik; McCoy, Zubar, Lowe, Ilesanmi, Coulson, Halliday, Pennn, Carson (De Girolamo 85), Sinclair, Hyde (Coulthirst 56). Subs: McCombe, Montrose, Platt, Meikle, Ingham.

GATESHEAD offered a glimmer of hope in their pursuit of reclaiming a play-off spot in the Conference.

The Heed rocked promotion chasing Macclesfield at the International Stadium by claiming a 2-1 win despite allowing the visitors to level immediately after taking the lead.

Gary Mills’ side edged ahead in the 21st minute when former Darlington midfielder Jamie Chandler drilled in a low drive.

Macclesfield responded in style. No sooner had the game restarted, George Pilkington powered in a header to convert Paul Turnbull’s corner.

Pilkington had threatened to put the Silkmen ahead when he was denied by goalkeeper Adam Bartlett and that paved the way for Gateshead to grab a winner when Michael Rankine nodded in with 23 minutes remaining.

The Tyneside club are still, though, nine points shy of fifth-placed Forest Green and have three matches in hand, so Mills is intent on getting Gateshead back to their early season form which has them in contention for a an automatic promotion spot.

Gateshead: Bartlett; Baxter, Curtis (Orrell 80), Ramshaw, Gjokaj, Shaw, Pattison, Chandler, Gooch, Rankine, Finnigan. Subs: Wilson, Baird, Morse, Sainte-Luce.