MORE strikes from defence is an extra target of York City sentinel Dan Parslow.

After seeing central-defensive partner David McGurk score only his sixth goal in ten seasons as a Minsterman, Parslow admitted he could contribute more in an attacking sense.

With just four goals from his eight campaigns at Bootham Crescent, Parslow’s strike-rate is similar and he now wants to take greater advantage of the team’s dead-ball situations, saying: “It was a great header by Dave and I had one in the first half that I should have done better with as well.

“But I thought we looked dangerous from set-pieces. They were zonal marking and we were able to get on the end of a lot of the balls in.

“The standard of our deliveries has definitely stepped up but we have also been told that we need to attack the ball and get on the end of more things and it’s as simple as that really.

“Set-pieces are a great opportunity to score more goals and we need to start doing that.

“We get so many corners and free-kicks with our wide men being hacked down or winning corners and it’s then a free chance to get the ball into the box.”

The last two games have also seen long-serving duo McGurk and Parslow reunited at the heart of the defence, where recently-dropped captain Chris Smith has been a mainstay for most of the last three years.

“It has been a long time – a couple of years or so – since me and David have played together but myself, Chris and him have been together at this club for so long that it is just a matter of slotting back in next to each other,” Parslow explained.

“We have all got good understandings and have built centre-back partnerships over the years.

“I have played at full-back and in the centre of midfield but I feel that I am most comfortable and play my best at centre-half.

“I will play wherever the manager wants me to do a job but it’s nice to be back there.”

With Smith currently on the bench, Parslow has also assumed the captaincy during the last two games and is hoping his approach to that responsibility will inspire his team-mates.

“I relish being captain,” he said. “It doesn’t faze me and I just try to lead by example by doing my job well. Hopefully, the players can pick up on my enthusiasm and work-rate because I just want to drive the lads on. That’s something I enjoy.”