YORK City captain Russell Penn has asked fans not to blame the club’s on-loan youngsters for relegation.

Penn remonstrated with angry away fans following Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Accrington, which consigned the Minstermen to National League football.

But the 30-year-old midfielder insisted rookie trio Bradley Fewster, Kyle Cameron and Luke Hendrie, who were all on duty at the Crown Ground, should be exonerated from criticism.

He said: “The young lads who have come in on loan have been superb for us all season and given it their all. Unfortunately, for them, they've been in a team that hasn't been good enough to survive the drop.

“I feel sorry for the fans and young players who have come into this environment, because it's been a case of learning the hard way. I'd probably have reacted the same as the fans if I was in that away end, although maybe not as volatile.

“They were also having a go at some of the young lads, but it's not their fault. The fans can have a go at the older players.

“I can take it because I've been around the block, but It hurts me more than anybody. It's up to the fans whether they believe that or not.”

Having seen the team go a 21st away game without winning, though, Penn admitted that inexperience might have played a part in the team’s struggles on the road this term.

“That's down to mentality,” he reasoned. “ I don't know whether the young players have been able to cope with it as much, compared to being at home on a nice surface and in front of a good crowd.

“Maybe, we are more environmentally happy at home, but you play half of your games away and we've only won one all season, which is relegation form.”