YORK City manager Nigel Worthington blamed a first half to forget as his side ended 2013 with a 2-1 defeat at fellow Sky Bet League Two strugglers Bury.

The Minstermen trailed to Anton Forrester and Nathan Cameron goals at Gigg Lane before substitute Michael Coulson reduced the deficit in the second half.

Forrester netted after just 38 seconds while Cameron scored when City’s on-loan shot-stopper Aaron McCarey failed to gather a weak Danny Nardiello header on 18 minutes.

Lamenting his side’s performance during the opening period, Worthington said: “The first half was one to forget.

“The first goal was conceded far, far too easily after less than 40 seconds so we were off to a bad start. For the second goal, the keeper has put his hands up but it should have been a straightforward save and it put us on the back foot.

“Quite a few players had bad days at the office during that first 45 minutes. In the second half, we were looking for character and, over the course of that 45 minutes, we did have a real go at them and created chances that led to us getting the goal.

“I could live with losing if we had done that over the course of 90 minutes but you cannot start like we did in any game, no matter what league you are in. We were 30 minutes too late in starting at Accrington and it took us 45 minutes to get going against Bury and you just can’t have that.”

Worthington hauled Josh Carson and Lewis Montrose off at half-time to introduce Coulson and Tom Platt and, explaining that double substitution, the Minstermen chief added: “We had to do something.

“Lewis was on a booking and I didn’t want to lose him by risking him getting another yellow card, so that was the thinking behind that substitution. Josh Carson has been outstanding for us but he had a bad day and that can happen.

“It’s still a learning process for Josh and, if you look at his performances this season, overall he’s been either an eight or nine out of ten in most games but it just didn’t happen for him (at Bury).

“Platty came on in midfield and did very well and Couls gave us a bit of energy.”

Despite admitting his team’s first-half display was the biggest cause of defeat, Worthington was also left puzzled by referee Scott Mathieson’s decision to caution Lanre Oyebanjo on 70 minutes for simulation rather than award a penalty following Dean Howell’s lunging challenge in the box.

“I am obviously on the side of York but I thought it was a definite penalty,” Worthington said. “Banj is an honest boy and he said there was contact but you have to live with that and take the rough with the smooth.”