York City boss Billy McEwan made a renewed plea for patience and called for a reality check after his side's play-off hopes were virtually extinguished by yesterday's 2-0 home defeat against Halifax Town.

The result left City six points adrift of a top-five place, meaning McEwan's men would need to win their remaining two Conference fixtures and hope that both Morecambe and Stevenage fail to take any points from their last two outings.

Even though the Minstermen travel to Stevenage on Saturday, that is still an unlikely scenario but McEwan is in no mood for criticism of his team's efforts this season.

Towards the end of yesterday's game, the City boss was involved in an angry argument with an abusive supporter, which led to the perpetrator of the altercation leaving the ground, and McEwan said afterwards: "It's early days in the rebuilding of this football club. Three years ago, we were in administration and at this stage last season we were fighting relegation.

"This season, with three games left to go, we were on the verge of a play-off position. We have taken the club to dizzy heights in a short period of time and I think our real fans understand that but one doesn't and I had him thrown out of the ground.

"He said the team was crap. He's entitled to his opinion but do I have to deal with idiots like that?

"We have got turned over by a good team and had indifferent results in the last six games but it upset me when that guy came to the dugout and gave me a mouthful. I couldn't believe it and I nearly walked out of the ground.

"I thought what's the use if I have fans like that but I know he's only one guy. He needs to think how disappointed I feel, the rest of the team fell and the real York City faithful feel.

"I feel our real fans understand the real picture. What this club has achieved in a short space of time is miraculous. It's taken Accrington Stanley about 44 years to get back into the league, it took Doncaster five years and Halifax, Hereford and Exeter still haven't managed it.

"Last season we were a laughing stock and easy fodder for teams like Canvey Island. Now, we are a tough outfit but our little team was never going to be an overnight success. The club was in an absolute shambles when I came in and that can't be turned into an overnight success."

McEwan also pointed to City's poor financial condition as part of his call for a greater understanding of his task at KitKat Crescent.

He said: "This club might have been ready for the play-offs but it's not ready for the Football League. We are trying to get in the league but you need money to improve the squad and there's not a penny in the club. Let's face facts.

"Accrington have got money, we've got KitKats. They can bring players in on big salaries but I've got two players on the bench whose combined weekly wage was £74.

"I'd love to spend money and have a list in my drawer of players I would like to bring to York City next week but it's not possible on our wage budget."

Updated: 10:24 Tuesday, April 18, 2006