YORK City skipper Sean Newton has argued that angry pitch-invading fans do not help the club’s cause in anyway.

The 29-year-old midfielder was confronted by an unhappy, gesticulating supporter at the end of Tuesday night’s 1-0 defeat at Nuneaton and, whilst admitting he can understand such frustration having confessed the players have “under-achieved massively” this season, he claimed that such reactions are counter-productive.

“It (the anger and frustration) has been going on all season and you have to deal with it,” Newton said. “When the team wins you are expected to and, when we draw or lose, it’s not good enough.

“We’ve known that all season and I understand supporters’ frustrations but, when a fan comes on the pitch effing and blinding and threatening players, that won’t help in any way. It only makes things worse.

“I know it’s tough, but all I can ask for is the fans to get behind us and, hopefully, a win at Gainsborough will get them back on side.”

As City cling on to National League North’s final play-off place, while Chorley lie just two points behind with two games in hand, Newton also reckons that the team must win at Gainsborough on Saturday or they can forget any chance of promotion.

“If we don’t get a win, then I think it’s over, so three points is a must,” he declared. “I think this game will dictate whether our season is over or we have a chance to get promoted.

“It’s like a cup game – win and we’re through to the next round or lose and we’re out. That’s what it’s come down to and we have under-achieved massively this season.

“There’s no point saying we haven’t, but we’ve now got to give our all for the last four games and in the play-offs.”