YORK City will have a little longer to hone their killer instinct following last week's announcement of a fortnight's suspension to Step 2 football.

Following discussions with clubs over funding, the National League has paused the North and South division campaigns, resulting in York's scheduled trip to AFC Telford United on Saturday postponed.

Speaking ahead of that outing, manager Steve Watson indicated that he wants York to improve on finishing games off, pointing to three games where a lack of ruthlessness cost them this season.

York have not failed to score yet in an away game this season - and only Brackley Town have thus far shut them out at home - though league games against Farsley Celtic, Kidderminster Harriers and Spennymoor Town all ended in draws after City failed to consolidate a one-goal lead.

Against Guiseley, a late, strong hand from Pete Jameson might just have been the difference between another stalemate and the actual 1-0 scoreline. 

With a view to addressing this, Watson has brought in strikers Jason Gilchrist and Gabby McGill on loan for, respectively, a month and the rest of the season. 

“I don’t think there’s been a lot wrong,” Watson said. 

“In an ideal world, we’d probably be sitting here six points better off because we’ve had the game in our hands at Farsley, at Kidderminster and against Spennymoor. 

“They’re things we need to work on. But that’s not a defensive issue, that’s us not killing games off at the other end of the pitch, which is something I’ve tried to address. 

“The way we play, we’ve been braver. When we do come under pressure, we’ve been brave enough to keep playing the way we have to get us into the lead and dominate. 

“In general, we’re not a million miles away from being in very good shape.”

On the loans, he explained: “We were looking at ways of adding to the chances of scoring more goals. 

“Gabby is somebody I’ve been aware of since before I joined York. He’s played competitive football at a very good standard now so we don’t need to worry about the physicality side of it. He’s another great option for us, something a bit different to what we’ve got. 

“Likewise, Gilchrist. He was very good against us in pre-season (for South Shields). His record is very good - he’s an out-and-out goalscorer. 

“I thought it would be a good move for both parties. We could get the lad playing again and give us a chance to get a look at a very good striker.”