YORK City boss Gary Mills promised the club’s long-suffering supporters “I’ll sort it” following a 2-0 defeat at Southport that he labelled “terrible and horrendous.”

The Minstermen only called home keeper Magnus Norman into action once as fellow strugglers Southport secured maximum points thanks to Jamie Allen’s second-half brace.

Defeat left City just one point above the National League relegation zone with Mills, just three games into his return as manager, making a vow that he will address the problems within his inherited squad.

“It hurt me to stand and watch us,” Mills said after the Haig Avenue horror show. “The first half wasn’t too bad and our shape was alright, but to watch my York City side play like that in the second half was terrible.

“The way we started it was horrendous and I need the fans to know I’m going to sort it, because you can’t play like that and win football matches. Whether the first goal was a penalty or not, the ref gave it and, after they scored, it was game over, which has probably happened a few times this season.

“There are a lot of things that I want to say, but I’m not hiding away from the fact that there’s a hell of a lot of work to do. You talk about fitness coaches, but we don’t look fit, sharp or strong enough and I find that unbelievable at this stage of the season, but it’s not a time to be saying this and that.

“I’ve got to sort it, because we had players who looked like they didn’t know what to do, which is hard to believe too. I need to bring in some players that are good enough to play at this level and players who want to be winners.

“I was close to bringing in a couple before this game, but I’ve got to make sure they’re the right ones.”

Kyle Letheren’s hip injury flared up again after he made a fine early save and his 12th-minute replacement Scott Flinders went on to perform heroics to prevent a heavier defeat with Mills adding: “Our keepers have been outstanding during all three games I’ve been here.”

City were missing Lanre Oyebanjo (hamstring), Aidan Connolly (hamstring), Fraser Murdoch (groin) and ill trio Richard Brodie, Shaun Rooney and Daniel Nti before the game, while Jack Higgins also limped off with an ankle problem on 57 minutes, but Mills was looking for no excuses, saying: “With the size of the squad, we should be able to cope with injuries.”