YORK City boss Russ Wilcox believes scoring first in home games holds the key to improving fortunes during the club’s final season at Bootham Crescent.

The Minstermen concluded their 2014/15 fixture programme at the 83-year-old stadium with a 2-0 defeat against Newport on Saturday.

That result meant this term’s team have only managed five victories on their own soil - the lowest tally in the club’s history aside from Bobby Saxton’s 1987/88 strugglers, who were relegated from the old third division. City’s paltry league return of 16 goals at home, meanwhile, set an unwanted club record.

The Minstermen plan to move to Monks Cross the campaign after next and Wilcox is determined to give the old ground a fitting farewell.

This season, City did not lose any home game that they scored first in, going on to win four and draw four.

Of the 11 contests in which they conceded first, however, only one was won and one drawn - this month’s 2-1 triumph over Morecambe and August’s 2-2 contest against Cambridge.

In their 25 league and cup encounters at home, the Minstermen only managed six first-half goals.

On the importance of making early breakthroughs, Wilcox said: “We’ve only scored 16 goals at home this season and a record like that will only put you in one place – the bottom half of the division.

“Fortunately, we’ve been the fourth top scorers away from home but we need to find a solution to our lack of home goals. I think the most important thing is trying to get that first goal.

“If you look at the stats, Newport have won 17 of the 21 games they have scored first in and, if you get that first goal, that makes the opposition come out and play because a lot of away teams in this division sit deep and play counter-attack.

It’s imperative we go into the new stadium on a high whether that’s in League Two or, fingers crossed, you never know, League One but, certainly in the Football League.

“Our home form has to be the first port of call in terms of looking for improvement next season.

We can’t hide from that.”

Ten-goal top scorer Jake Hyde failed to add to City’s measly home haul when his second-half penalty was saved by Newport keeper Joe Day.

Michael Coulson, who has taken spot-kicks in the past, was also on the pitch, but Wilcox added he was happy for the ex-Barnet striker to take the responsibility.

“There’s been a bit of banter between the two of them at the training ground regarding penalties but Jake was on them,” the City chief said. “They are both good players and a penalty is a free shot on goal from 12 yards.

“The one positive is he hit the target. You can be very critical if people miss the target but the keeper made an outstanding save. If he dives the other way, it’s a great penalty.

“Jake’s the top scorer at the club and I had every confidence he would put it in. The only people who don’t miss penalties are those that don’t take them.”