YORK City boss Colin Walker read the riot act to his players for the first time after watching them crash out of the Setanta Shield on penalties to Northwich Victoria last night.

The Minstermen failed to extend their long unbeaten run to a 15th game as they experienced defeat for the first time under Walker, losing 3-2 in a shoot-out with the scores level at 3-3 after extra-time.

Richard Brodie bagged a brace either side of a Martyn Woolford effort, but Blue Square Premier strugglers Northwich led twice and went through after both City goalscorers and Craig Farrell failed to convert from the spot.

A very disappointed Walker questioned his players' mental state and said: "We were very sloppy and we have told them that.

"We always talk about taking responsibility, but we did not have anybody on the pitch who did that.

"Maybe it's the kick in the wotsits we need to drive on until the end of the season, but the 700 or so people who came will not accept that, nor will the players and Eric Winstanley and I certainly won't.

"We have set great standards and habits, and to lose the unbeaten run like that leaves a bitter taste.

"We will need to scrape ourselves off the floor now and get ready for Saturday because if we play like that against Grays, we will be in for a tough game.

"At times, we couldn't even take a corner and that's not a case of not being able to do it. It's about mental state, which I can take responsibility for as well."

The City boss decided to rest skipper Manny Panther and fellow midfielders Stuart Elliott and Nicky Wroe for the Northern Area quarter-final.

Panther, who has a slight knee problem, was left out completely.

However, Elliott and Wroe were introduced early in the second half for full-debutant Phil Turnbull and Russell Fry.

About the decision, Walker said: "We had a lot of the ball in the first half but we weren't penetrating enough and were playing sideways a lot. I wanted Nicky Wroe on and I feel he made a difference getting the ball forward quicker."

The result also represented only the second time under Walker that City have conceded three times in one game following the 4-3 defeat of Droylsden on New Year's Day.

'Keeper Tom Evans was culpable for two goals but Walker felt his whole back-line under-performed, adding: "The back three have been absolutely superb for me but they weren't in this game and I think the goalkeeper has to stick his hand up for a couple of the goals."

Missing three penalties also annoyed Walker, with Brodie lifting his effort well over while Woolford and Farrell both tested the woodwork.

The City boss lamented: "Some of the penalties typified the way we played for 120 minutes. We were poor and there are no excuses. We maybe got what we deserved."

Teenage winger Liam Shepherd was handed his first senior outing as an extra-time substitute although Walker admitted it was not an ideal baptism.

He said: "It was not the best of situations to put him on, but we had to because we wanted him to try and get something out of the game for us."

Last night's attendance of 763 is believed to be the lowest-ever for a City first-team game.