YORK City fell to a third consecutive defeat on Saturday, as a Southend United side in turmoil defeated David Webb’s team 2-0.

Here are five things we learnt from the Vanarama National League clash.

1. Supporters uprising

A lot of the headlines for Saturday’s match will be on Southend, with fans protesting before the match against their owner Ron Martin. 

But despite the attention on the Shrimpers, York also made their feelings well-known towards manager David Webb and to the majority ownership of Glen Henderson.

It was a moment of standing up for York supporters, who are beginning to grow frustrated with on and off-of-the-pitch antics which were taking place. 

2. A striker is needed

Lenell John-Lewis will forever be part of that beloved promotion-winning York side who won the Vanarama National League North play-offs last season. 

But with defenders much more mobile and possessing extra quality in this division, ‘the Shop’ is struggling to spearhead the City frontline right now. 

Shaq Forde and Manny Duku are helping John-Lewis, but you can’t help but feel that a new striker in the squad would solidify the hopes of York’s survival this season. Something which Webb is reportedly working on.

3. Slight improvements

Recent performances and results against strugglers Oldham Athletic and Maidenhead United have been nothing short of not good enough.

However, the performance against Southend showed glimpses of improvement with a much more respectable effort. 

The work rate of the players can’t be faulted, and it took a penalty and a brilliant finish from Jack Bridge to steal the points for Southend in the end.

4. Creativity lacking

Strikers can be looked down upon for a lack of scoring, but they can only work with the tools they are supplied with. 

A first-half injury to Nathan Thomas didn’t help, but it could be argued that Alex Hurst and Ollie Tanner have to do more when it comes to gifting York’s strikers more chances. 

Chances were rare for the Minstermen, and whilst when they did come they weren’t taken, it feels as if more creativity needs to be pumped into the side. 

An out-and-out attacking midfielder could solve this problem in Webb’s tactics, as it seemed to almost be a 4-2-3-1 formation with Olly Dyson pushing forward. 

But an accomplished attacking midfielder with an eye for creativity could really pull the midfield and the attack together, and help the strikers in adding to their tally’s. 

5. Something needs to change

Three consecutive defeats, a tricky fixture list approaching and fans becoming unrest in recent weeks; something has to change. 

Whether if it is the players, the management or the off-the-field issues affecting play, results have to seriously improve to dig York out of the situation they find themselves in.

Now 17th and just four points clear of the drop zone, relegation seems to be a very real threat right now. 

Solihull Moors could be a good test later on tonight (7.45pm) with both sides struggling for form and desperate to turn things around, after previously having a good start to the season.