YORK City player-boss Chris Brass was left cursing his side's set-piece defending after last night's 3-1 home defeat against Scunthorpe.

The Minstermen have now gone ten games since their last victory after being undone by a corner, a long throw and a free-kick last night.

Scunthorpe even played the last 39 minutes with ten men after Jamie McCombe's dismissal and Brass is getting increasingly frustrated by his defence's lack of organisation as he watches from the sidelines during his four-match ban.

He said: "I was disappointed with the three goals we conceded. They had three shots on target and got three goals, which is certainly not right and gave us a mountain to climb. You can't concede three goals in a game and expect to get anything from it.

"They were from set-plays and people were well aware of who they should be marking but they have got free. I can't accept that. It's again about accepting responsibility and you have to do the basics right.

"An error from our goalkeeper gave them a penalty to make it an uphill struggle at half-time and we then got sucker-punched again after they had a player sent off because nobody took responsibility in the box. You can't look to somebody else to do it while you are out there.

"You have to stand man to man and be counted. It does not matter how old you are."

Chris Smith dropped back to the substitutes bench for last night's match with Leigh Wood assuming the central position in City's back three but Brass has not been impressed, so far, with his players' attempts to keep him out of the team when his four-match ban expires for the visit to Bristol Rovers.

The player-boss said: "We gave somebody else an opportunity but I wish I was there myself. It's frustrating and I do not want to be able to walk back into the side.

"I want to be thinking 'Christ, I can't put myself in there."

City have now taken two points from a possible 30 and slipped into 17th position after last night's defeat.

Brass realises that recent performances must improve for City to avoid a scrap for their Football League status.

He said: "We have got to make sure we do not get sucked into the relegation battle. We have got to approach the last 11 games in the right manner.

"If you concede goals like we have against Scunthorpe then we are going to make it very difficult for ourselves. We must eradicate that.

"We keep talking about bringing in a striker but it takes a great striker that's going to score three goals in every game."

Andy Bell's consolation goal and substitute performance was the one positive aspect Brass could take from last night's game and the non-contract striker is set to be handed his first start against Torquay on Saturday.

Brass said: "Andy came on and did well so he deserves his chance now. He needs games but, at least, he was positive and, when he got the ball, he looked forward and that's what we want.

"Ultimately if you get the ball in the box you have got a chance of getting goals."

Richard Hope is also set to return this weekend and shore up City's leaky defence after his thigh injury.

Brass added: "Richard was touch and go for Scunthorpe but he's had no adverse reaction to his injury this week and we will step his training up between now and the end of the week and I will be a little shocked if he's not ready for Saturday."

Updated: 11:11 Wednesday, March 10, 2004