YORK City boss Jackie McNamara has told his new charges they need to be fitter following a 2-1 Johnstone’s Paint Trophy defeat at Barnsley.

Michael Coulson gave City a 40th-minute lead against his old club but McNamara felt the visitors faded after the hour mark with Ben Pearson and Adam Hammill goals securing the Tykes’ passage into the Northern Area semi-finals.

The defeat was City’s fourth on the trot and ex-Dundee United chief McNamara said: “Their equaliser was the first time we had defended right on top of the keeper and I want the players to be defending on the 18-yard line, but we started to tire around 60 to 65 minutes and dropped deeper and deeper, so we need to get fitter.

“I’ve only been here a week, but I noticed it with some players from the very first training session we had. They struggled with the intensity and, if we get energy and fitness into these players, we can hurt teams.”

Following a 3-2 defeat at Accrington during his first game at the helm, McNamara was also left cursing defensive sloppiness again as his side surrendered their half-time advantage.

He added: “We had great travelling support and we should be in the next round because we were very comfortable after a couple of early scares and we looked compact and solid. We then scored a fantastic free kick and it was a great time to go in front because it gave us a lift. But we lost a very poor goal when one guy switched off and their lad had a tap-in and I’m very angry about that.

“We went to have a great chance that Vadaine (Oliver) hit the keeper with from six yards and, for their second goal, their lad got a free pop on goal with his favoured foot, which we had spoken about stopping, so two errors have cost us again. I was very happy with a lot of things but the two goals were very disappointing.

“I know what I need to do to fix that though.”

Former Manchester City youth-team skipper George Swan, meanwhile, was given his professional debut and McNamara felt his central-defensive partnership with Femi Ilesanmi showed promise.

“We looked better organised,” the ex-Celtic captain reasoned. “George came in for his debut and was excellent.

“He was calm for somebody who hasn’t been given an opportunity this season and I think he will be a good player for us. Along with Femi, they looked comfortable at the back.”

David Tutonda also featured for the first time since September but the on-loan Cardiff wide man has been told he needs to carry more of an attacking threat if he is to have a future at Bootham Crescent with McNamara pointing out: “He did OK but I’d like to see him use his pace and strength more and be a bit more direct instead of cutting back inside.

“If he does that, he can hurt teams but it’s up to the lad if he has a future here. I want to see him being positive and take people on, like Rhys Turner did at Accrington.”

Oliver, Ben Godfrey and Emile Sinclair were all replaced due to injury in the second period but McNamara is hopeful all three will be available for the home match with Plymouth on Saturday.

“Ben got injured when he was booked despite getting studded in his knee and it was really swollen,” the City boss explained. “Vadaine has a problem on the back of his knee and calf.

“Ben’s is a knock and Vadaine’s is muscular but, hopefully, they’ll both be OK.”

City will definitely be without Marvin McCoy against the Pilgirms, however, after he picked up a one-match ban for reaching five bookings and Bryn Morris is still expected to be away on England under-20 international duty.