YORK City's plight worsened at the foot of npower League Two as they lost 2-1 at ten-man Torquay United.

The postponement of games involving relegation rivals Aldershot and Plymouth - plus a defeat for Accrington - gave the Minstermen the chance to climb out of the bottom two, but they were unable to capitalise at Plainmoor.

City, looking for their first win since New Year's Day, trailed 2-0 at half-time after goals from Elliot Benyon and Ryan Jarvis for the hosts.

They were handed a lifeline when Torquay's Tom Cruise was red-carded for hauling down Josh Carson in the box in the 73rd minute and loan striker Richard Cresswell netted from the spot.

However, Nigel Worthington's men were unable to force a second goal against the ten men, leaving them in the drop zone with six games remaining.

Worthington made a host of changes to his starting line-up, with David McGurk recalled at centre-half and Jack O'Connell switching to left-back. Paddy McLaughlin came in for Scott Kerr in midfield, while Matty Blair and Cresswell replaced strikers Jason Walker and Michael Rankine.

However, they got off to the worst possible start as Benyon put the Gulls in front from close range in only the sixth minute before Jarvis doubled the lead with a long-range effort on 22 minutes.

Tom Platt, recalled from his loan spell at Harrogate Town, made his debut as a half-time substitute in place of McLaughlin.

Cresswell then marked his second City debut with the penalty but the visitors were unable to reward their 263 travelling fans with an equaliser.