YORK City manager Gary Mills has insisted his players can get themselves out of the current “mess” they are in.

The Minstermen conceded four goals for the second successive game at Wycombe on Saturday and have now failed to win a match since their 3-0 home triumph over Burton on New Year’s Day.

Scott Kerr and Jamal Fyfield both conceded penalties at Adams Park to give striker Dean Morgan the chance to fire the hosts into a 2-0 half-time lead.

Further efforts from Joel Grant and Dave Winfield then wrapped up a 4-0 win, following on from the team’s 4-1 mauling at the hands of Morecambe.

After watching his team go a sixth game without a win, a disappointed but defiant Mills added that he remained confident he could emerge from a “testing” time as manager.

He said: “We got off to a terrible start giving two penalties away and we are committing suicide at the moment. We’re giving goals away and don’t look like scoring and, at the end of the day, that’s a recipe for disaster. But we will sort it out because that’s our job. You have to move on and get ready for the next game.

“The game is not all about success and, when things aren’t going right, you have to stand up and be counted. I have to do that as manager and the players need to do their jobs better.

“We know that and there’s no hiding or excuses. We have had two very disappointing weekends, conceding four goals in our last two matches and that’s not good enough.

“We are going through a bad spell but you have to live with that. We’ve worked hard to get where we are and it’s now a time to stick together – that’s very important.

“I believe I have a dressing room of players that will work hard to get us out of this mess and I have to pick the right team. The last two results suggest that maybe I haven’t.

“But players have to take responsibility because I rely on them for my job. I enjoy my job and I don’t pick teams to lose games.

“It’s a testing time and testing for me as manager, but I am going to come through it.”

On the goals his team conceded, Mills reflected: “Scott Kerr gave a goal away and he’s held his hand up. Jamal told me he didn’t pull their man for the second penalty so we will have to see if he was telling the truth by looking at the DVD.

“Dan Parslow got caught out for the third goal and Jack O’Connell got pushed in the back for the fourth, but that didn’t influence the result by any means and I don’t want to nit-pick.”

The City boss dragged off Paddy McLaughlin and Michael Potts at the break in Buckinghamshire and then withdrew fellow midfielder Kerr just past the hour and explained players in that area of the pitch need to be more consistent.

He said: “We can be better in there. Kerry, Pottsy and Paddy have done well together in some games, but you’ve got to be consistent at this level otherwise you get found out. Players who aren’t consistent play at a level lower than the Football League and, at this moment, some of our players’ performances are not consistent enough.”

Mills also expressed his sympathy for City’s 302 supporters at Adams Park, adding: “I’m disappointed for the fans who travelled all that way, but they understand we are visiting teams where it’s not as easy to win games as it might have been last season.”

The Minstermen chief went on to welcome the chance to bounce back with a home match against title-chasing Gillingham tomorrow.

Mills’ side drew 1-1 at the Kent club last month and the City boss said: “I’m glad we’ve got a game tomorrow and, if we play how we did against Gillingham at their place, I am sure we will put things right. We’ve got to think about winning the next game now and not worry because we have lost again.”