JOHN ASKEY warned that the York City players who do not work hard enough “will be through the door” following a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Kettering Town.

York fell two goals behind early on against Kettering and, despite Sean Newton pulling one back from the penalty spot, City rarely looked like coming away from the game with any points.

Having taken sole charge of the team as interim manager seven days earlier, it was a dispiriting start to Askey’s reign.

In the build-up, plenty of the discussion surrounded the style of play that Askey teams at former clubs had produced, though he insisted that work-rate was his first worry.

That bore true against Kettering as he felt his players lacked the desire of their opponents.

“We knew how they were going to play,” said Askey. “All important was the second balls and we were second to the second balls. It just wasn’t good enough.

“The players weren’t strong, not competing, not working hard enough. There’s a lot of work to be done.

“You try and do everything right in training and get people working hard, getting on the ball.

“I felt like one or two were hiding a little bit. I don’t want to say too much because it’s early days and the players have still got a chance to show us what they can do.

“But on that showing, we need to be looking elsewhere.”

Askey added: “We need a few more men in the building who are going stand up because in this league, that’s what you get.

“There wasn’t enough desire and there wasn’t enough ability on show. One or two need to pull their socks up otherwise they will be through the door.”

Taking nothing away from the visitors, but both goals of Kettering’s goals stemmed from poor City defending rather than any intricate attacking play.

“For the first goal, we’ve not closed (down) the (number) eight (Connor Kennedy), who scored,” Askey said.

“That’s people not doing their job properly. For the second goal, I think we had two opportunities to clear our lines. That’s Sunday morning stuff, that is.

“Fortunately, we get ourselves back in the game with a penalty. Clayton (Donaldson) was unlucky to hit the post, but they could have broken away and got another.

“We just didn’t play well enough. They’ve not had to do a lot to win the game.

“I think that they showed enough maturity and that’s why they’ve won.

“But I can talk and talk but actions speak louder than words. And we need a lot more action.”