WES Fletcher’s hamstring injury at AFC Wimbledon could have been caused by traffic problems en route to York City’s 2-1 defeat at Kingsmeadow, according to manager Russ Wilcox.

The visitors’ team coach only arrived at 2.15pm for the Sky Bet League Two clash after taking one hour and 15 minutes to make the eight-mile journey from the side’s overnight base.

That meant City’s normal pre-match, warm-up was shortened and Fletcher limped out of the action after only 13 minutes with a problem that could signal the end of his season.

The Minstermen went on to concede a 90th-minute Jack Smith goal after Jake Hyde had cancelled out Adedeji Oshilaja’s opener, leaving Wilcox to lament: “It wasn’t a good day all round.

“We stayed overnight eight miles from the ground and the kit lads had done the journey the day before. It only took 25 minutes, so we left in plenty of time, but it took us one hour and 15 minutes because we were stuck in roadworks and we didn’t arrive until 2.15pm, which wasn’t ideal preparation.

“The lads got on with it, though, so we are not using that as an excuse, but I think it probably affected Wes. I was concerned about him as it was his third game in a week and I had a chat with a few of the players about that before the game but I didn’t want to change the team after such a good win and Wes said he felt absolutely fine.

“He’ll have a scan now and, with eight weeks left until the end of the season, we will know more about where we stand after that.”

Fletcher had menaced the hosts during the early exchanges and Wilcox added that his absence would be a blow with the ex-Burnley forward having begun to display his best form of the season.

“He had scored three goals in four games and was full of confidence,” Wilcox said of the Liverpool-born marksman. “He looked a threat during the first ten minutes and was getting in behind their defender (Mark) Phillips by using his pace and power, so he’ll be missed.”

Wilcox also cursed his side’s fortune following Smith’s late 20-yard strike past keeper Bobby Olejnik.

“I am gutted for the players and supporters because both were outstanding but it’s a very, very cruel game,” he added. “Everyone will bang the same drum about us conceding another late goal but the ball would have gone straight down Bobby’s throat if it hadn’t taken a deflection and ended up in the top corner.

“It’s just about that little bit of luck you need because I thought we were the better side by a long chalk and Emile (Sinclair) had a great chance to make it 2-1 for us. It’s so disappointing to lose in that manner but it’s my job to pick the players up to go again in a huge game on Saturday against Carlisle.

“We knew there was always going to be highs and lows right up to the end of the season and that’s what we’ve experienced at Cambridge and Wimbledon.”

The City boss was not happy with his team’s defending, however, for the hosts’ first goal that came from a free header following George Francomb’s corner.

“We defended dead balls well apart from the corner they scored from,” he explained. “We have done fantastically well in that respect over the last dozen games.

“We’ve not conceded a goal from set-plays but individuals need to do their jobs in those situations. Everybody did at Cambridge but that didn’t happen for their first goal and it put them on the front foot.

“That was a mistake from somebody who wasn’t better than the man they were up against.”

Substitute Sinclair went on to set up City’s equaliser following a rapid right-wing raid and, despite the former Northampton forward later missing an open goal, Wilcox was pleased by the overall contribution made by Fletcher’s early replacement, saying: “He did terrifically well for the team and showed what he can do and why I brought him to the club. He showed terrific pace.”

Top scorer Hyde grabbed his second goal in as many matches from inside the six-yard box at Kingsmeadow and Wilcox is also pleased with his predatory instinct.

The City boss pointed out: “We always speak about strikers getting in positions between the goal posts. He has a good habit of doing that and it’s a shame that’s not been rewarded with a point or three.”

There were loud shouts for handball during the scramble that led to Hyde’s equaliser and Wilcox went on to question whether referee Gary Sutton should have taken different action, reasoning: “We might have been better off with a red card and penalty.”

On-loan Sheffield United striker Diego De Girolamo did not make the trip south after contracting food poisoning following his return from international duty with Italy under 20s.

Commenting on his condition, Wilcox revealed: “It could take him seven to ten days to make a full recovery. I’m hoping he will be back for next weekend but, as a professional athlete, he will also need to recover from the weight loss he will have suffered.”