YORK City boss Russ Wilcox has told his players to fight for their own and others’ livelihoods after the club plunged into the Sky Bet League Two relegation zone.

The Minstermen lost 2-0 at home to fellow strugglers Dagenham & Redbridge after 39-year-old veteran Jamie Cureton scored a goal in each half.

Wilcox, who took full responsibility for the defeat, admitted it represented the lowest point of the season and he spelt out to the team the full implications of a return to the Conference three seasons after the club’s hard-fought promotion back to the Football League.

Along with the players’ professional careers being on the line, those of other staff members could be jeopardised and the future of academy football would again come under threat.

Wilcox’s team are still searching for their second home win of the season and, on the possible repercussions of relegation, Wilcox said: “You get highs and lows in the game and this game was a massive low – probably the lowest point of the season. It was nowhere near good enough.

“The effort was there but we lacked a lot of quality. I really feel for everybody at the football club, but it’s down to me to sort it out and I won’t hide away from that.

“The buck stops with me and I’ve got to find solutions. I won’t blame other issues. “The pitch was the same for both teams and they moved the ball around well, so there’s no excuses. Myself, my staff and the players have all got to do better.

“There were a few home truths in the dressing room because, if we lose our Football League status, it doesn’t just affect me and the players. It affects whole families, the academy, club staff and everybody in the city but we’ve got 17 games to put things right.

“I’m hoping that reality will kick in now we’ve gone into the bottom two because it needs to. Our home form is horrendous and it will cost us if it’s not addressed quickly.”

Wilcox has also been given the green light to bolster his ranks by chairman Jason McGill.

With Luke Summerfield ruled out until next month due to a thigh injury, the central-midfield area is a priority to strengthen, while he is also looking at the striking positions.

City are expected to learn if Diego De Girolamo can return from Sheffield United this week and that situation could also have a bearing on whether Carlton Morris’ loan stay from Norwich is extended.

Following the closure of the transfer window, though, Wilcox will be limited to loan signings or players unattached to other clubs.

The Minstermen are also restricted to fielding five loan players in any matchday squad with Bobby Olejnik, Brad Halliday and Stephane Zubar having all agreed terms to stay until the end of the season.

Walsall left-back Malvind Benning, meanwhile, is a fortnight into his one-month spell.

On the possibility of more transfer activity at Bootham Crescent, Wilcox added: “Luke Summerfield will be out for a few weeks and he’s probably been our most effective player in recent games. He can get on the ball and make that final pass so he’s a big loss.

“I’ve spoken with the chairman and he’s given me the support to go out and have a look to see what’s available, which is all I can ask for as a manager. I think we’ve got to look at the central-midfield area and maybe another striker, whether that’s taking Carlton Morris again or not and I am sure there will be some sort of decision on Diego next week.”

With his team having now netted just once in six matches, Wilcox pointed out, meanwhile, that ex-Cheltenham and Exeter marksman Cureton gave his misfiring players a masterclass in finishing.

“We spoke before the game about getting the ball forward to the front two a bit earlier to create more opportunities but we didn’t do that,” the City chief explained. “The fact we didn’t score a goal again is worrying.

“When you get one in six games that only gives you the chance to win one game and the best and oldest player on the pitch showed what we are lacking at the moment. He did what he’s done throughout his career by finishing the only chances he had all afternoon.

“He was the difference between the two teams at the top end of the pitch, where he had the quality we didn’t and he still looks in fantastic shape at 39. Your legs might go a little bit when you’re older, but your quality never does as he showed with both finishes.

“The second one was a typical Cureton goal playing on the final man and having the composure to make the task of goalscoring look simple.”

Wilcox and his players were heckled at the final whistle by restless home fans with the City boss understanding their sentiments, while appealing for their continued backing.

“The supporters went away unhappy and rightly so, but there’s nobody lower than me at this moment in time,” he reasoned. “We’ve now got a big match at Luton on Tuesday.

“Our away performances have been better away from home, so we’ve got to hold on to that and produce something special there. Northampton’s manager was the worst in the league in December but he’s just picked up an award for January so that’s how quickly sport can change.

“I just hope the supporters can stick with us. There’s still a third of the season to go and we really have to drag ourselves up.”

City made to changes to the side with the injured Summerfield replaced by Lewis Montrose and Wes Fletcher recalled in attack as Jake Hyde dropped to the bench.

Wilcox explained that the latter decision was made partly with Bootham Crescent’s unpredictable playing surface in mind, saying: “I put Wes in, which was a little bit to do with the pitch, because you have to make changes to adapt to the conditions, but we didn’t get it together from the word go.”

Six-goal top scorer Hyde was subsequently brought on after Dagenham doubled their lead early in the second half as City switched to a 4-3-3 formation.

Explaining that decision, Wilcox said: “You have to look at different ways to try and get in the game. You’ve got to put offensive players on the pitch to do that but, sometimes, that can make you look disjointed.

“We’re used to playing 4-4-2 and, when you change to that system, you need your full backs to get forward but the final pass and cross wasn’t there.”