YORK City's first National League North fixture of 2022 did not go as the Minstermen had hoped as they were comprehensively outclassed in a 3-0 defeat to Kidderminster Harriers.

City failed to register a shot on target as Amari Morgan-Smith, Omari Sterling and Sam Austin goals for former Minsterman Russ Penn's side ensured York left Worcestershire with nothing.

Interim boss John Askey and his charges have a chance to respond quickly when they host Bradford Park Avenue this evening (7.45pm) in a rearranged fixture.

Here are five things we have learnt.

1. City's record against top sides remains poor

Saturday's game was York's 10th against a team in the top half of the National League North table, and the seventh time they have failed to take away even a point.

Against the current top seven, City have taken four points from six games by beating six-placed Southport and drawing at seventh-placed Curzon Ashton.

As worrying as this record is for York, more troubling is that they were barely in the game at Kidderminster. The same can be said for the 2-0 loss at Gateshead.

The question now is whether Askey can successfully reshape this City team in time to make them genuine play-off contenders.

2. The next handful of games will be vital

With that in mind, City have a good run ahead of them to get some points on the board. In the next five league games, York face three of the bottom six in Bradford (home and away), Blyth Spartans (whom they have beaten twice already this season), and basement side AFC Telford United (whose 5-0 win over Darlington on Saturday was their first in the league since mid-October).

On top of that, those two games against Bradford are the rearranged fixtures from the festive period, and City should be looking to translate their games in hand into points on the board.

3. Coming games will tell where City lie

City's run at the National League North title looks long gone but they still have a chance at squeezing into the top seven.

The Minstermen will have to be masters of their own destiny, though, with most of the top seven showing few signs of faltering. Southport, in particular, are flying, racking up an incredible 30 points from their last 12 games.

If York are to pick themselves up from their current 14th place, they need wins, and they need them soon.

4. Things can yet get better for York

It has been the tale of the season. Once again, on Saturday, City had to field a side containing some compromises. This time, Michael Woods and Scott Barrow - both of whom are returning to full fitness - were thrown in for a full 90 minutes, while left-sided midfielder Mitch Hancox was played at holding midfield.

If York do get a chance to field a fully fit, first-choice 11 this season, it might provide more cause for optimism.

5. Recruits could be on the horizon

Askey is continuing to look for new signings, having taken at least two players on trial in the past week.

Hereford midfielder Zeli Ismail turned down City's offer, while Atherton Laburnum have wished good luck to their one-time Watford trialist for his trial with the Minstermen.