ERROR-PRONE York City defender Chris Clarke faces the axe again after his mistake led to the only goal of the game at Crawley Town on Saturday.

Clarke, 23, was only recalled to the Minstermen's starting line-up in Sussex because of an injury to skipper Steve Davis and he is not expected to retain his place against Northwich Victoria this weekend.

City boss Chris Brass dropped the 6ft 4in centre-back after a 4-0 defeat at Gravesend & Northfleet and is likely to take the same action even if Davis does not recover from his swollen hip by Saturday with Gary Pearson, Paul Groves and Sean Davies other defensive options.

A disappointed Brass said: "I'm frustrated because we certainly deserved to get something out of the game in terms of chances but, if you make an individual error like that, it makes things difficult. It's all about your mental approach to the nasty side of football.

"Everybody makes mistakes at all levels but it's how it affects you and how you respond. You expect mistakes at a rate of one in every six or ten games but it's happened on a consistent basis.

"I was hoping it could have been eradicated but, if the penny does not drop, as a manager you have to make decisions. We worked hard for 90 minutes and one individual error cost us."

Clarke also missed a chance to atone for his error with an equaliser in second half stoppage time when his close-range shot was palmed on to the crossbar by home keeper Phil Smith and Brass added: "I don't know how far he was out and I thought we would see a bulge in the net. It was one of those chances to redeem yourself but unfortunately it was not taken."

Assistant-manager Lee Nogan was probably more guilty of passing up a chance to level the scores in the first half after rounding the goalkeeper.

Brass did, however, have words of praise once more for David Stockdale, who pulled off an impressive save from five-goal Crawley striker Charlie MacDonald during another mature display.

The City boss said: "He did exceptionally well after a bit of a jittery start. He again showed the mental application that is required."

Non-contract signing Gerry Harrison, who is currently playing without being paid, also made his second City appearance as a second half substitute but Brass admitted he will now look to make a decision over his Bootham Crescent future.

Brass added that financial considerations made a move for Crawley's former Charlton Athletic striker MacDonald very unlikely despite recent speculation.

He said: "Charlie MacDonald is someone I've had watched and somebody who wants to come into the full-time game. We would be stupid not to monitor his situation because he's got good qualities.

"I'm surprised he went out of the professional game because I've known him since his Charlton days and I think he could make the step up to full-time but they would want money and I'm not naive enough to think we could do a deal."

Updated: 10:48 Monday, September 13, 2004