Steve Agnew has pledged his allegiance to York City and vowed to do his utmost to halt the Minstermen's harrowing run of results.

BLOCKED OFF: Steve Agnew's shot is saved by Mansfield goalkeeper Ian Bowling during City's 1-0 defeat at Bootham Crescent

Saturday's 1-0 defeat at home to Mansfield Town, their third in succession, means City have collected just two points from a possible 18.

Now stand-in skipper Agnew, leading the side in the absence of Chris Fairclough, has reaffirmed his commitment to York after starting the season on the transfer list.

"What's gone on has all been solved now. As far as I am concerned it is water under the bridge and I want to do the best for York City," said Agnew.

"I am part of the problem at the minute and it is not a nice problem.

"We have lost too many games and I am very much in the situation. I don't like the situation we are in and nobody else does.

"The rest of the players are disappointed to see where we are in the league knowing that we have got the players who can take us up the league.

"It's just a case of getting a goal, getting a bit of confidence and getting the bounce of the ball and hopefully that can start next Saturday."

The veteran midfield schemer was only recalled to the side back in October following a seven month exile after putting in a shock transfer request last March.

And but for snags during contract talks, Agnew could well have been wearing the colours of either Carlisle United or Hull City this term.

Now the former Sunderland playmaker said he is anxious to repay the faith shown in him by City manager Neil Thompson and said the fact he had been made skipper showed the slate had been firmly cleaned.

"Neil has learned a lot in his short spell as manager and is improving all the time and I think it is just that little bit of luck that we are missing.

"We know it cannot go on forever and results have to turn quickly.

"Confidence is a factor, once one goes in I think the confidence will flow through the team.

"We just need a goal to get us off the mark, give us the lead in a game and once we get in front I think we can go on to dominate teams.

Thompson, who came through his first full 90 minutes unscathed since the beginning of September, echoed his captain's sentiments and was once again left lamenting a cutting edge up front.

"It has been the same story all season, scoring goals is the problem," said the City chief.

"People say we don't create chances but we have created enough chances today.

"We had enough chances first-half and enough possession of the ball but if you don't score goals you don't win games and that is the bottom line.

"We have had chances but chances are there to be scored. Whether we have that desire to go and score, well, that worries me.

"It worries me when we had enough chances to get something out of the game.

"We have people who can score goals but they have got to go and prove it."

In another blow for City, striker Colin Alcide and midfielder Scott Jordan were substituted at half-time suffering from back problems.

Jordan's injury, picked up in the warm-up, will be of extra concern to Thompson, who will definitely be without the services of suspended Agnew and injured central midfielder Kevin Hulme for Saturday's visit of Torquay.

Middlesbrough are the latest Premiership club to cast their eyes over York City's young guns.

Boro coach Gordon McQueen was spotted in the main stand at Saturday's match.

City were waiting until after today's training session to finalise their side for tomorrow's outing in the Pontin's League.

City, who lie second in the division one table, clash with another of the title contenders in Notts County at Meadow Lane (2pm).

Darlington's former City player Steve Tutill could be out of action for several weeks after fracturing a cheekbone in the Quakers' 2-1 win at bottom club Chester on Saturday.

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