YORK City boss Martin Gray was left incensed by his side’s defensive sloppiness despite a 3-1 FA Trophy home win over Coalville Town.

Gary Martin’s first goal for the Minstermen and a brace of Jon Parkin penalties saw City ease their way into the first round proper of the competition they won last term by beating Macclesfield 3-2 at Wembley.

But Gray was upset that his team failed to keep a clean sheet for the 12th consecutive match after Daniel Creaney replied straight from the kick off following the home side’s third goal.

“I raised the roof of the dressing room after the game, because things have got to change,” the City boss seethed. “I won’t dig anybody out in public, but we cannot be conceding goals straight from the kick off and individuals have got to have a hunger not to let that happen and a desire to keep clean sheets.

“Every week since I’ve come here, we’ve conceded a soft goal and I won’t accept that, even if it means personnel changing, because you have to be switched on and focussed from the first minute to the last. We’ve won three games and a draw from the last four matches, but we’ve got to get that winning mentality.

“We’re just alright at the moment and have got to get better.”

Gray also reasoned that his side lacked a killer instinct during an opening half that saw Martin belatedly break the deadlock on 43 minutes.

“We were good and strong in the first half, but we weren’t clinical enough,” the City chief explained. “We should probably have been 3-0 up because we had three great opportunities and you have to take your chances when they come around.”

But, when Martin’s goal did arrive, Gray was delighted with his emphatic edge-of-the-box strike, adding: “It was a great set-up by Jon (Parkin) and a really good first-time finish.”

The City boss added that he was pleased too that Parkin pulled rank when sub James Gray wanted to assume responsibility for the second spot kick.

“James Gray won it and wanted to take it, but Jon said it’s my job and stepped up to make sure he got another two goals,” the Minstermen chief said. “He just keeps hitting the back of the net and if you’re the penalty taker, you’re the penalty taker - that’s how it should be.”

Former Northern Ireland under-21 international Gray caught his manager’s eye, meanwhile, as he looks to reclaim a place in the first XI, having been named on the bench for the last four fixtures.

“His debut was good at Salford and he came on and did well at Alfreton,” Gray declared of his namesake. “He’s my type of player because he gives you everything and you need people like that.

“He’s full of energy, chases balls down and gives full-backs and centre-halves a hard time. He won us a really important penalty by doing that and he’s pushing for a start.”

Gray made two changes for the tie with Alex Whittle and Aidan Connolly named as substitutes and David Ferguson and Amari Morgan-Smith earning recalls.

Keeper Luke Simpson was also replaced in the dugout by Sam Muggleton after suffering a problem during the warm-up.

“I think it was something to do with his ribs, but it was nothing major,” Gray revealed of Simpson’s late withdrawal. “I’m sure he’ll be fine for our next game but, if not, we’ll have to call young Ryan (Whitley) back from his loan spell at Whitby.”