5 Things We Learned from York City's 2-0 defeat at Brackley

Despite the strong suggestion of a possible play-off lifeline during the interval at Brackley, there was a real sense of inevitability surrounding the home side’s opening goal soon afterwards, given it arrived in the 22-minute window that has seen the deadlock broken during all five defeats in the six-game, run-in, labelled as a “disaster” by manager Martin Gray. The conceding of those second-half goals on 51, 52, 54, 61 and 74 minutes is suggestive of a team waiting for something to happen, rather than taking charge of their own destiny.

Instead, opposition sides have seized the initiative at what proved to be decisive points in games against a City team who, Jon Parkin aside on Saturday, have lacked the belief to stage a comeback. The end result was just one point taken from a possible 18, when as little as six would have been sufficient to secure a play-off spot

2 Brackley midfielder James Armson possesses the composure lacking in his City counterparts

Armson’s brace at the weekend took his impressive season’s goal tally to 19. He even netted four times in one game – at North Ferriby back in August – and might have claimed a hat-trick against the Minstermen, but for Adam Bartlett’s right-hand post coming to the away keeper’s rescue.

How City could have benefitted in 2017/18 from somebody in that area of the pitch with his controlled shooting ability when presented with chances in and around the penalty box. Sean Newton might have just reached double figures but, by his own admission and, as previous boss Gary Mills – one of his biggest fans – used to always maintain, he really should score more, given the positions he regularly works himself into in front of goal.

Too often, Newton rushes and snatches at his shots when a more considered attempt, prioritising placement over power, could prove more successful.

3 Astute recruitment at Brackley has been their blueprint for success

With modest three-figured gates and a part-time budget, third-placed finishers Brackley have arguably been the National League North’s biggest success story this season. A closer analysis of their squad, though, makes their performance during the campaign far less of a shock.

Midfielder Armson and skipper Gareth Dean at centre back, were both cornerstones of Solihull Moors’ 2016 title-winning side and both, along with the likes of ex-City sentinel Luke Graham and 35-goal striker Aaron Williams, have helped Kevin Wilkin establish a strong spine to a team that ended the campaign with the division’s meanest defence.

Graham, 32, has played a big part in that miserly record and the Bootham Crescent faithful will need no reminding of the formidable centre-back partnership he forged with David McGurk, back in 2009/10 as Martin Foyle’s resilient team came within one play-off final win of reclaiming Football League status. Williams was also poached, initially on loan, from League Two Newport, having proven himself a reliable sixth-tier marksman at Nuneaton just two seasons ago, where he averaged exactly a goal every other game – the kind of ratio that was never going to be delivered by the likes of James Gray and Raul Correia, just by taking a glance at their CV.

Scouting homework, meanwhile, has clearly been undertaken elsewhere in the side with Matt Lowe, previously at Cambridge City, Histon and Wealdstone, looking a very energetic wing-back. Throw in somebody with a clear affinity for the Saints, such as club legend Glenn Walker, whose commitment to the cause - not always evident in wingers - is there for all to see, then Wilkin appears to have moulded all the ingredients needed for a winning team.

His players’ quality also, once more, extolled the possible virtue of those purposefully part-time, compared to the professionals who are prepared to ply their trade in regional football.

4 Alex Kempster might need to become stronger to thrive in National League North

The sight of City’s former PE teacher laying in a crumpled heap after his latest coming together with an uncompromising opposition centre-back is becoming a familiar one. Not for the first time, the former Whitley Bay forward with a slender frame was substituted long before the end of the game following such an incident and, if he is awarded a new contract, Kempster must prove he is up to the physical requirements of sixth-tier football.

The Northern League that he has left behind is hardly an arena for shrinking violets, but his sharpness at that level might have meant avoiding such treatment was easier.

5 Few City players could make a convincing argument for their retention this week

Other than Parkin, there cannot be anybody in the squad who, hand-on-heart, produced football of a standard commensurate to their standing in the game this season. City’s professional squad underperformed in so many areas, although exciting 16-year-old Vinnie Steels should also be exempted from any criticism too.

Gray has suggested that there is a small group of players whose services he aims to retain for next season. Some will prove unpopular with City supporters, given this season’s disappointment and their association with failures of the past.

For all those who could be handed a reprieve by Gray, therefore, they must reassess what they want from their football careers and hope to achieve in red-and-blue colours because, if their standards are not higher, both they and the manager, that has placed faith in them, will come under even greater scrutiny next term.