RUSS WILCOX has warned his York City side not to be lulled into a false sense of security by last season’s mid-season upturn in fortunes.

The Minstermen travel to Hartlepool on Saturday knowing that a defeat will mean their rock-bottom hosts draw level with them on points at the foot of the Sky Bet League Two table.

Similarities have already been drawn between this term and the struggles a year ago when the club only lied outside the relegation zone on goal difference at the end of 2013.

A remarkable transformation, largely based on 14 clean sheets in the final 18 fixtures, went on to see City, then managed by Nigel Worthington, secure a play-off place.

But, ahead of the trip to Hartlepool, Wilcox wants his players to be under no illusion about the task they face to claw away from the division’s lower reaches.

He said: “There's a long way to go and we're not in a position where we would like to be but the stats don't lie. We haven't won enough football matches and we've got to address that where we can do.

“It's very disappointing to be out of the FA Cup but that's happened now and all we can do is concentrate on our battle to stay in the League because that's the situation we are in. We're not kidding ourselves that we're going to go 17 games unbeaten like last season because that doesn't happen very often.

“We've just got to make sure we get away from the bottom as soon as we can. The players' attitude and application is good though and I think the fans have seen that. We just need that bit of quality and, if we find it, we will be fine.”

Wilcox is also appreciates the full significance of a victory at Victoria Park this weekend, adding: “These games are often not the prettiest but, while we are prepared for a battle, I also want us to play better than we did at Wimbledon, because we've shown in previous games we can do that.

“I am a manager who wants to go out and get all three points but you have to manage the game in response to how it develops. First and foremost, we need to get something from the game but, if we can get a win, we know that will put us six points clear of Hartlepool and that's a good gap at any stage of the season.”

Michael Ingham came through Tuesday’s 3-1 Cup defeat against Wimbledon with a full bill of health following the shoulder injury that caused him to miss the previous match He now faces a contest with on-loan Burnley keeper Alex Cisak, who is expected to extend his stay at Bootham Crescent beyond this weekend’s one-month deadline, to become Wilcox’s first choice between the sticks.

Cisak was made unavailable for the Cup games by his parent club and the City chief now wants to establish selection consistency in a key area of the team.

“I have a good decision to make,” he confessed. “When you are chopping and changing your keeper, it can be difficult.

“I know that as a former defender because you get used to who is behind you and know their strengths and weaknesses, but there is a chance for stability now. We have two quality keepers in Michael and Alex and I've been impressed with Jason (Mooney) as well.

“He is doing double sessions with (goalkeeper coach) Andy Collett and is doing his upmost to get in the squad, which is pleasing to see.”

Winger Anthony Straker is ruled out of the north-east test with a groin problem, while centre-back Dave Winfield is unlikely to be considered despite returning to training following his thigh injury.

Wilcox went on to re-iterate that he will need to tread carefully with Wes Fletcher and Josh Carson, as they attempt to regain full fitness after long injury lay-offs.

“The last thing you want to do is bring a goalscorer off but Wes had played a game on Saturday, had a long journey and was shattered at Wimbledon,” the City boss explained. “I was also very tempted to start with Josh on Tuesday, but we have got to remember he hasn't played since March, so we need to ease him back in.

“He's in my thoughts but I think the tempo of the game at Wimbledon caught him out a bit when he came on. He found it hard to get a foothold into the match and we will see how he recovers before going from there.”

City, meanwhile, have been thwarted by their attempts to bring forward their home match with Morecambe to the first weekend of December, which has been set aside for FA Cup second round ties.

Both clubs are out of the tournament and the Football League backed Wilcox’s wish to reschedule the match from its current Tuesday, April 14 date.

Morecambe declined the offer, though, meaning City are likely to have a free weekend now with all of their other remaining midweek opponents – Luton, Cambridge and Bury – still in the Cup.