YORK City manager Martin Gray has challenged the club’s senior players to inspire a champagne finish to the season.

The Minstermen remain in a play-off position but, after a run of six straight victories either side of the New Year, have only triumphed in two of their last eight contests, ahead of entertaining a Southport side on Saturday, who have won five on the trot and emerged as credible top-seven contenders.

Laying down the gauntlet to the side’s older heads, Gray insisted: “I want to go into the play-offs in fantastic form. That’s the biggest thing for me now, because we’ve got to peak at the right time.

“We have Football League experience in our changing room and it’s so important that the senior players step up to achieve what we set out to do. I came here because I wanted success and we’ve got to throw everything at this.

“I’ve had a taste of the promotion champagne several times and it’s all you want. I’m hoping this group of players can say ‘I made a difference at York City and helped the club get out of National League North’.

“That’s in their hands and they have to grasp it to take the club where it needs to be. The fans showed their concern and disappointment at the end of the Kidderminster game on Tuesday night, but their support is fantastic and all I want is to give them a lift.

“I’m very, very positive and still believe we will do, because that’s why I was brought here.”

Gray went on to reveal that he has conducted a series of one-to-one meetings ahead of this weekend’s match, demanding better from every player, including on-loan Middlesbrough teenager Alex Pattison.

“I want to know if Alex Pattison can get me four goals and get back to the standards of his first spell and his performance against Salford,” the ex-Darlington chief pointed out. “It would be great if he could finish here knowing he had helped York get where they want to be and be ready, then, to give it a real go at Middlesbrough.

“I’ve met nearly every player this week and I am asking for more from them as individuals and a group.”

The City boss also admitted that the squad’s fringe players are now giving him more of a selection dilemma but added that he would not be handing Theo Wharton a first City start since September despite fellow midfielder Simon Heslop beginning a two-match suspension against Southport. “He’s working as hard as he ever has done but, the fact that he didn’t do that for three months, doesn’t go out of your mind,” Gray explained. “He won’t play on Saturday, but he’s giving me a problem and is back in contention to be in the squad.

“In fact, I’ve had seven players knocking on my door asking why they’re not in the team, which is great and it’s about time, because we have a strong squad and a clean bill of health, so players have to start pushing for places.”

Connor Smith, who has been introduced as a substitute during the last three games, looks closer than most to earning a starting XI recall, with the City manager saying: “You won’t get Connor playing a 70-yard ball on to somebody’s toes and he’s not blessed with lots of talent and ability, but he’s an honest kid who wants to do well and he’ll play a part between now and the end of the season.”