Hopes that York City's defensive problems were on the wane have been hit with the news that David McGurk needs a throat operation.

Billy McEwan branded the Minstermen's defending as suicidal at times against St Albans as they lost 4-2 with just ten men - and later revealed that neither McGurk or James Dudgeon are due to return any time soon, with McGurk's operation representing another setback.

The defensive situation is now creating major difficulties for the Minstermen with the cracks that had started to appear against Cambridge United crumbling at St Albans as the Saints attack cut through the defence at will.

Said McEwan: "We contributed to our own downfall with people messing about in the box. When you defend like that against any team, you deserve to get beat.

"To be fair, they were lively up front but the way we defended for our goals was suicidal."

City remain fourth with a goal difference of minus one and St Albans fourth-bottom despite the result, but the loss was a third poor performance against teams from the lower reaches of the league after the draw with Southport and the home loss to Cambridge United mid-week.

It's an ironic switch from the team that used to struggle against top-six teams.

Said McEwan: "I said that to them before the game that the attitude has got to be right. It doesn't matter who you play - if you defend like that you're going to get beat."

McEwan also admitted to being baffled by some decisions by referee Graham Scott.

"You get some unusual decisions at this level but we don't want to comment on that.

"You would have thought that the referee would be consistent but that's referees for you. We got booked for taking it (the quick free-kick) and they got a goal.

"There was a blatant penalty decision for Donaldson - absolute stonewall penalty. If we had got that and scored, that would have made it 3-3. Everybody in the ground could see it was a penalty. If we had been the home team we would have got that."

McEwan and Colin Walker took the field on the final whistle to applaud the strong away support and he sympathised with their wasted journey.

He said: "I just feel sorry for the fans. It's a long way home and we've brought them down.

"They are unhappy, I'm unhappy. I don't think anybody is happy.

"If that's the reaction then we have got to do something about it although it's short memories you know. But if they're not happy with me I will leave."