YORK City boss Gary Mills has set his side a survival target of winning half of their remaining games.

Mills’ benchmark is based on reaching 50 points for the campaign, which would have been enough to beat the drop during seven of the ten seasons since the National League was extended to 24 teams.

City are currently bottom of the table on 21 points and five adrift from a position of safety, having won just four of their opening 27 league fixtures.

But, with 19 matches left to play, Mills remains confident that his players can meet the challenge, saying: “Everybody always talks about getting to the 50-point mark and that would mean we need nine or ten wins, which translates to winning half of our remaining games.

“We’ve won four so far this season, so we’ve got to turn that around and it’s got to happen very quickly, but we are capable of doing that and everybody is still positive around the dressing room. There’s been a few draws that we should have won and we’ve got to turn those results into victories now.

“We’ve had a disappointment at home – losing to North Ferriby in our last game - but we can’t linger on that and must build ourselves up again.”

Fifth-placed Dover have loftier ambitions and, in 29-goal striker Ricky Miller, can count on the division’s standout performers this term, ahead of Saturday’s home clash against City.

But, despite a 27-point gap between the two clubs, Mills is targeting victory in Kent.

“They are doing well and have got themselves back in the play-offs, so we’ve got to work hard and fight for everything,” the City manager pointed out. “Not many people think we can beat anybody at the moment, so let them think that.

“We know what we are capable of and we’ll be going there not to get a draw, but a win. They play a man-marking game that I’ve never seen anybody else play, but it works for them home and away.

“They’ve also got a striker who’s the hottest property in the league and all their forwards are on fire at the moment, but it’s a challenge we’ve got to overcome and we’ve got to make sure we have more of the ball than we did against North Ferriby on Sunday.”

Adriano Moke is doubtful with a dead leg, meaning Alex Whittle is likely to earn a recall at left-wing back, allowing Sean Newton to move inside from the flank into a central-midfield berth.

Scottish winger Danny Galbraith could return to the squad after recovering from his heel problem, but Aidan Connolly (thigh) still hasn’t returned to training.

Mills is also backing on-loan pair Jon Parkin and Rhys Murphy to get on the goal trail, with both strikers still waiting to open their league account for City after four games.

“Jon would have liked a couple more goals for all his efforts and Rhys could be sitting on half-a-dozen,” Mills explained. “They had two or three really good chances to win the game in the second half against North Ferriby, but they are goalscorers and at least we’re making opportunities for them.

“We’re not conceding as many goals now, but we’ve just got to hit the back of the net a bit more.”

Mills is considering a recruitment contingency plan, meanwhile, if Murphy and fellow loanee Aarran Racine are recalled by parent club Forest Green following the Dover clash.

“I don’t know if Aarran and Rhys will be going back and whether I’ll have to bring other players in,” Mills confessed. “There are always other players you are interested in, but I’m hoping they can stay.

“We haven’t had a concrete conversation with Forest Green about that. I know they are looking to bring a couple of players in themselves and, if they do, maybe there will be more chance of us keeping them.

“I can’t begin to tell you how many players have been thrown at me since the January transfer window opened, but what would be the point in taking anybody unless they can go straight into the side?”

City duo Ben Clappison and Josh Robinson are on loan at Boston United until the end of the month and winger Kaine Felix will stay at Stockport for the same period of time. Jack Higgins, meanwhile, is expected to remain at Southport until the end of the season, as per the announcement of his loan terms when he made the switch to Haig Avenue in November.