YORK City goalkeeper Tom Evans believes hard work and self-belief can secure the KitKat Crescent club a play-off place as the season enters its final four games.

The Minstermen entertain Rushden and Diamonds tonight before travelling to strugglers Stafford and Southport on successive Saturdays and then completing their programme at home to fellow high-fliers Oxford during the final weekend of April.

Evans produced a man-of-the-match performance to help City strengthen their top-five claims with a 2-1 victory at fellow hopefuls Burton on Saturday and, as a veteran of two play-off campaigns in 1999 and 2003 at previous club Scunthorpe, the 30-year-old stopper has outlined the qualities he feels will be crucial.

He said: "We need hard work and a belief we are going to do it.

"If you believe you are going to win and are willing to work hard at it you are going to do it. If you think you have done it and you don't work hard you will fail."

Evans also believes that the Minstermen will secure a top-five spot if they can reproduce their form at Burton during the last four fixtures.

He added: "That game was probably one of the most enjoyable I have played in. The standard from both teams was excellent and, for the first 20 minutes, the pace of the game was superb.

"You want to play in those type of matches week in, week out."

Evans also paid tribute to Danny Parslow who returned to the heart of defence for his first start in nine matches, meaning City boss Billy McEwan selected his 18th different back-four permutation this term.

Evans felt Parslow's solid comeback epitomised the defence's ability to adapt.

He said: "We've had a lot of changes throughout the back four and everyone has done really well. There's been no weak links.

"Danny Parslow was absolutely superb (at Burton). He's always done well every time he's come in and has never let anyone down."

Evans is now hoping that the Minstermen can end a run of three games without a win or a goal at KitKat Crescent tonight.

He said: "We've not really had a convincing victory at home, even including the Crawley match that we won 5-0.

"It's strange and I don't really know the reason. Hopefully, we can change that starting tonight."


Tonight's squads

YORK CITY (probable): Evans, Purkiss, Parslow, McGurk, James, Bishop, Panther, Woolford, Bowey, Farrell, Donaldson. Subs: Greenwood, Brodie, Gamble, Lloyd, Convery.

RUSHDEN AND DIAMONDS (probable): Tynan, Watson, Ashton, Hope, Rankine, Kelly, Jackson, Mills, Albrighton, Woodhouse, Williams. Subs: Baker, Savage, Tomlin, Goodliffe, Shaw.

REFEREE: Mo Matadar (Blackburn).

KICK-OFF: 7.45pm.