CAPTAIN Russell Penn has revealed that a soul-searching group chat last month proved the turning point of York City’s season.

The Minstermen held an inquest into the club’s fortunes after the 1-0 home defeat to Bury left the club hovering above the relegation zone on goal difference after a run of just two wins from 14 fixtures.

City boss Russ Wilcox subsequently switched to a 3-4-1-2 formation for the next match – a 2-2 draw at Accrington, which heralded the start of a six-game unbeaten sequence that has reaped 14 points.

On the reasons behind that run, Penn said: “We all sat down after the Bury game - staff and players - and had a good chat about what we needed to do and where we went from there and I think that was a pivotal moment in the season.

“I won't say what was said but it was really deep and good and all the lads have stuck together since to turn things around. We're 11 points clear of relegation now and that seemed a long way off four weeks ago, so I’d like to thank everybody at the club for their efforts.”

Penn added that the team are in no mood yet to dig out their flip-flops in preparation for the summer break, insisting: “We’re not going to Shrewsbury today thinking we’ve finished the job.

“We’re all professionals and I don't want to lose another game this season because finishing nine unbeaten would be fantastic and we can still finish in mid-table, so that has to be the target. I'm also expecting a big crowd this afternoon because they can go up and that will get us going.”

Despite the euphoria of his spectacular goal securing Football League survival much earlier than anticipated, Penn is also fully aware of the need to improve next term “We’re hoping for better next season without a doubt,” he spelled out.

“The last six weeks have defined our season really and, hopefully, we can finish it off in the same manner because that should keep the fans on side and stand us in good stead for next season.”