Ash Foyle was pleased by the way his side kept battling in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Harrogate Town.
City went behind in the first half against the visitors’ experienced side, but their second-half display was one in which Foyle could take great pride from.
He said: "Our question to the lads at half-time was can you show character and commitment to the cause so the game doesn't drift away and we stay competitive. I was pleased with their output in the second half.
"They are young lads, they will have good days and bad days but we can't change their mentality and work rate, which was good in the second half and the game as a whole."
Foyle fielded a much younger side compared to Harrogate, aiming to progress the younger groups by challenging them against tough opposition.
He added: "We are in a different situation to our opponents, where we are trying to load a lot of younger players and stretch the better players to challenge them.
"From a physical battle point of view, I'm really pleased. A lot of their chances came from our own errors - hopefully next week will be different."
Click HERE for City’s ticketing website.