YORK City manager Martin Foyle admitted a switch to 4-3-3 secured his side a third successive home win against Hayes and Yeading on Saturday.

The visitors frustrated City for long periods before Foyle decided to match their tactics early in the second half, throwing Michael Gash on to join Michael Rankine and Leon Constantine in attack.

Just four minutes later, Rankine broke the deadlock and Constantine then got his name on the scoresheet for the second time in three games to wrap up a 2-0 win.

The City chief said: “You have to give credit to Hayes and Yeading. People think 4-3-3 is negative but they played some good stuff and caused us problems.

“I had to change things around to stop them because 4-4-2 is great if you get width and your full-backs joining in, but Hayes worked hard and had the majority of possession in the first half. It was a good three points at the right time of the season to keep us within the leading pack.

“We have two very hard away games coming up against Mansfield (tomorrow) and Tamworth (on Saturday) so it was important to get a win.”

Restless City fans had earlier booed the team off the pitch following a lacklustre first-half performance and Foyle said he could understand their frustration.

“We were a bit down on confidence in the first half,” he said.

“We looked a little scared on the ball and probably deserved to be booed off at half-time. When they came in, I told them to believe in themselves because they are good players. I wanted them to show a bit more arrogance because we were waiting too much for things to happen.”

Foyle also praised Gash for responding positively to being dropped following his return from England ‘C’ duty in midweek.

The City boss said: “I always had it in my mind at half-time to bring Gashy on and he gave us a bit more strength. He had a point to prove after being left out of the starting XI but I want that from the players – I don’t want them sulking.

“He played 60 minutes for England ‘C’ in a 2-2 draw with Wales under-23s and I’m pleased for any player who represents his country at any level. I would have paid a fortune to do that, but I worry when they go away because I’ve only got three strikers.”

About the contributions of Gash’s fellow strikers Rankine and Constantine, Foyle added: “It was a good finish by Ranks. When things aren’t going right for him, he starts moaning and groaning a lot and that doesn’t look good, but he can be a threat going in behind defences and beyond.

“Leon can finish the simple goals and strikers who can do that are worth their weight in gold.”