YORK City manager Billy McEwan has signalled his intention to send on an extra defender in future to stop his side conceding late goals.

A 'fed-up' McEwan was once more left ruing a goal scored against his team in the final minutes of a game after Gravesend and Northfleet snatched an 89th-minute equaliser in Saturday's 2-2 draw.

It was the fifth time City have conceded a goal after 87 minutes in matches this season at the cost of a staggering seven points to the team.

About his side's major vulnerability, McEwan said: "I can't believe it and I'm fed up with it. If they are going to keep doing that all the time then I will obviously need to start taking strikers off and play five at the back and shore it up.

"Maybe that's what I should have done against Gravesend. It's something that we have to look at because it's happening too often."

On-loan Charlton Athletic striker Onome Sodje scored Gravesend's second equaliser in a match that had seen Andy Bishop and Clayton Donaldson twice fire the Minstermen in front.

Sodje, who is only 17, also won the free-kick that led to the home team's first goal and McEwan recognised the teenager's potential but felt his defence could have taken better measures to contain him.

McEwan said: "The young boy will cause problems for all defenders at this level with his pace but you have got to learn that if you are playing against quick forwards you don't give them space. You have to drop off a little and give yourself a five-yard start.

"Our defending has to be better. It's as simple as that because if you can't keep clean sheets you don't win football matches, but we should also not under-estimate Gravesend. They got a 1-1 draw in their last match against Accrington, who are probably the form team in the division."

City's fringe players will get an opportunity to press their claims for first-team selection tonight for the reserves against Darlington.

The KitKat Crescent match has been brought forward two days and kicks off at 7pm.

Updated: 10:00 Monday, October 10, 2005