DEFIANT York City boss Russ Wilcox told unhappy fans that he will not be “throwing the towel in” at Bootham Crescent.

A section of home supporters in the David Longhurst Stand chanted “You’re Getting Sacked in the Morning” after Kemar Roofe scored Oxford’s winning goal in a 2-1 defeat and repeated their taunts at the final whistle.

Rhys Turner had earlier cancelled out Danny Hylton’s opening goal for the visitors but Wilcox was barracked after a second successive defeat against teams in Notts County and Oxford, who are expected to challenge for promotion this term.

There is no suggestion that City’s board are considering Wilcox’s position and, in response to the criticism, the former Scunthorpe manager said: “I’m a fighter.

“I’ve never thrown the towel in during my career or in life. It’s the fans’ prerogative to say whatever they want to say.

“I can’t control that and, whilst, everyone in football would like a bit more understanding at times, it’s not there in the modern game. But I will be staying strong because I am the leader and I have to lead this group of players and my staff.”

Wilcox also outlined the struggle he currently faces with injuries to senior players mounting.

“I couldn’t ask anything more from my players in terms of their attitude and application but we’re looking for a bit more quality from them,” he explained. “It’s difficult at the moment.

“We have played two top teams in Notts County and Oxford who have quality players and their expectations are to be in the top three. Ours are different.

“We are hoping to improve on last season and finish in the top half of the table. I’m not saying we can’t beat these teams but it’s a lot more difficult when you’re without key players.

“We are missing Michael Coulson, Jake Hyde, Vadaine Oliver and Luke Summerfield and they would make us a hell of a lot stronger but we can’t feel sorry for ourselves.

“We’ve only played ten games and there’s 36 to go, so we brush ourselves down and get ready for the next one.”

Despite Oxford being the better side on the night, Wilcox added that his team might still have gained some reward from the match, reasoning: “Their winning goal was a fluke and we should have had a penalty when their player handled the ball in the box because the ball travelled long enough for him to get his arm out of the way.

“I’m not saying they didn’t deserve to win but we could have easily got something out of the game.”

Wilcox went to admit that prolonged exposure in the first team is beginning to take its toll on rookie striker Reece Thompson following his summer move from part-timers Frickley.

“Reece probably needs a rest,” the City boss confessed. “He came in from non-League all guns blazing and got three goals but really we need to keep developing him.

“The problem is we’ve got no other strikers. We had four in the stand for this game and we’ve got to try and get them fit.”