YORK City boss Russ Wilcox has insisted that two unsuccessful red-card appeals will not deter him from contesting future decisions.

Centre-back Dave Winfield will miss tomorrow’s trip to his former club Shrewsbury after an independent panel upheld the three-match ban he received after being sent off for dangerous play during last weekend’s 1-0 home win over Hartlepool.

But, having also had no joy after challenging Jake Hyde’s dismissal for the same alleged offence against Luton in February, Wilcox will not be changing his stance if he believes his players have mistakenly received their marching orders.

He said: “When you look at the cases Jake and Dave had, it makes you think the authorities might be trying to stop people appealing, but we will carry on looking at every incident on an individual basis.

“I told Dave that if I thought he had gone over the top with his challenge, then we wouldn’t have appealed, but I maintain that it was a great, committed challenge.

“Even though Jake and Dave still lost their appeals, with the chairman’s brilliant backing, we will continue to appeal if there are similar scenarios, because we feel that’s the right thing to do.”

The City boss has revealed, meanwhile, that he gave his players an extra day off yesterday following Tuesday night’s stirring 2-1 triumph over Morecambe – a result that staved off the threat of relegation to the Conference.

“That was the little carrot I dangled to the players on Tuesday night if they won the game,” he explained.

“I also think they needed those two days off, considering the mental and physical magnitude of the last two games.

“We’re on a good run and, sometimes, it’s nice to get away from the environment as well because it can get intense. Football’s different to other jobs.

“You work for a nine or ten-month block and, whereas other people can have breaks or time off, you can’t in football, including at Christmas, New Year and Bank Holidays, so it was good to give the players a couple of days’ rest after Tuesday night’s achievement.”

In return, Wilcox is expecting full commitment from his squad for the remainder of the season, even though Football League safety has been secured and only the likes of Michael Ingham, Tom Platt and Lewis Montrose are playing for contracts from the current group of players fit and available.

“Whether you are out of contract or have three years left, it should not make any difference,” the City boss argued.

“You should have self-pride as a footballer and want to give your best.

“You should always be fully-committed and honest and that’s something this group of players have not lacked in any game since I came to the club.

“Sometimes, we haven’t been good enough quality wise, but I have never had to apologise to the supporters for a lack of endeavour.”