Results have to improve quickly, declare York City board

Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat against Barnet meant the Minstermen extended their run without a victory to eight matches and communications director Sophie Hicks has admitted that an immediate upturn in the club’s fortunes is needed.

City’s last win came on New Year’s Day when promotion contenders Burton were seen off 3-0 at Bootham Crescent but, since that game, four points have been taken from a possible 24.

The team have scored five goals during that time, while shipping 14 and, during the last six matches, have had to rely on a goal direct from a corner, a penalty and an own goal to get on the scoresheet.

Gary Mills’ men remain seven points clear of the drop zone and have only dropped three places since that January 1 triumph but the club’s directors want to see a halt to the slide in form as soon as possible.

On the current situation, Hicks said: “The board were extremely disappointed with Saturday’s result. We felt that progress had been made during the week before because the performance against Gillingham was very good.

“But clearly, for the club and everyone associated with it, including our supporters, we are expecting an improvement in results, starting on Saturday.”

Last season’s double-winning Wembley manager Mills will take his side to an Oxford team who are without a home win in five matches since their New Year’s Day 1-0 triumph over Cheltenham at the Kassam Stadium.

The U’s did, however, end a sequence of five winless matches, including four defeats, over the weekend with a 1-0 victory at Plymouth.

City’s North Riding Senior Cup semi-final against Marske United, meanwhile, has been scheduled for next Wednesday (February 27).

It will take place at the Northern League first division’s GER Stadium and kicks off at 7.30pm.

Marske beat a youthful Middlesbrough team 2-1 in the last round and currently have former City striker Lev Yalcin on their books.

Admission for the game will be £5 for adults, £2.50 for OAPs and £2 for under-16s.