YORK City boss Billy McEwan has called on his side to bring an end to the "suicidal" defending that has marred their last two matches.

The Minstermen conceded three goals for the second successive game during last night's 3-2 home defeat against Morecambe.

Left-back Nathan Peat paid the price for the team's shaky first-half performance and was substituted at the break and centre-back James Dudgeon was also withdrawn in the second half after being given a difficult time by impressive two-goal Morecambe forward Michael Twiss and his strike partner Danny Carlton.

McEwan admitted he was proud of his side's fight-back to draw level after a 2-0 half-time deficit, but was left "gutted" when they fell behind again within a minute.

He said: "Our defending was suicidal at times and we gave them three goals. They did not make mistakes like that and that's why they are a good side.

"We are a good side as well if we don't do silly things. Earlier in the season, we were hardly making any mistakes but now we are making basic errors and getting punished "I was proud of them in the second half though. I had told them at half-time to roll up their sleeves and show the crowd what they were made of and they did.

"I'm disappointed to lose the game after fighting so hard to get back in it and the lads who made the mistakes are distraught.

"I feel sorry for the players but they have to take it on the chin and do better. If they don't, they will lose their place in the team because you can't give away six goals in two games all the time.

"We're disappointed and down but we will bounce back - don't worry about that."

McEwan also heaped praise on 20-year-old duo Arran Reid and Martyn Woolford.

Goalkeeper Reid made his full debut after a failed loan bid for former City stopper Russ Howarth handed him his chance with first-choice Tom Evans serving a one-match ban.

Woolford was also making his full home debut and the former Frickley Athletic winger capped it with an excellent strike to join Clayton Donaldson on the scoresheet.

About their contributions, McEwan said: "The young boy was superb in goal. He made a fantastic save and I was really pleased with him.

"It was a big game for him but he did not get enough protection. Woolford was another positive. His goal was a superb finish because it came at him at an awkward height."

McEwan will now consider changes for Saturday's home match against Kidderrminster with Evans and Steve Bowey available after suspension and captain Emmanuel Panther also limping out of the action last night with a hamstring problem.

The City manager pointed to the fact his side have not won a game during Bowey's three-match ban and also suggested second-half substitutes Lloyd, Danny Parslow and Lewis McMahon could come into contention, saying: "Parslow and Lewis did not do too badly in the short time they were on and young Lloyd came on and did ever so well. The boy on the right was causing us problems but he nullified that threat."