YORK City boss Russ Wilcox will be asking chairman Jason McGill for permission to bring in more reinforcements following a 3-1 FA Cup replay defeat at AFC Wimbledon.

Wes Fletcher’s spectacular fifth-minute strike gave the Minstermen an early lead at Kingsmeadow but Matt Tubbs’ brace, following Jack Smith’s 71st-minute equaliser, saw the hosts book a second round trip to Wycombe next month.

Afterwards, Wilcox signalled his intention to dip into the loan market before the window for temporary signings closes until January next Thursday.

The Minstermen chief said: “Wes showed what he can do with a fantastic goal but ran out of gas and probably needed to come off at half-time, because it’s difficult to step out of the treatment room on to the pitch. We haven’t got enough players up to speed and I need to have a conversation with the chairman because we can’t keep ticking along with the same personnel.

“We need to add quality if we possibly can and before next Thursday. I think everyone has seen the quality I’ve brought in with Alex Cisak and Stephane Zubar and we need more like that.

“We haven’t got enough strength in depth and people need to feel pressure for their place to perform to their max. I haven’t got that in enough positions.”

Sheffield United forward Diego De Girolamo remains high on Wilcox’s wanted list after being recalled from his first loan spell with the Minstermen last month when he netted three times in four outings.

On that situation, the City boss added: “I hope we can get him back and I am trying as hard as I possibly can. I will be having another conversation with Sheffield United, although them winning against Crewe in their replay might go against us.

“He adds quality and we need that touch of class in such a key area just off the front man. It would also allow us to bring Wes off the bench until he is fully fit.”

Jake Hyde had a hat-trick of chances to send City through to the next round but Wilcox was in no mood to apportion blame at the ex-Barnet striker’s door at the final whistle, pointing out: “The keeper made two good saves from him and he’s just got to make the right choices with the one-on-one, but I’m not going to criticise him for that as a centre half.

“I would be more disappointed if he had come away having had no chances, so that’s a positive. Wes also scored a fantastic goal, so the front two performed well.”

Wilcox also defended his decision to send Michael Ingham upfield for a 91st-minute corner that led to Tubbs’ deciding goal.

“There wasn’t anything wrong with doing that in a Cup tie,” he argued. “I’ve been involved in games when keepers have scored and I sent him up there after he had a look at the bench, so I will take the responsibility for that.

“There’s no point in seeing out a 2-1 defeat and, even though they caught us on the counter attack, I would do that every time.

“I’m just very disappointed for our travelling fans who came a long way and spent a lot of money. We created the most chances and Jake could have walked away with the match ball but we did not deal with the pressure they put on us.

“We did not do the basics well in both boxes, which is frustrating.”