WORRIED York City manager Martin Foyle accused some of his players of failing to understand the game after a 2-1 defeat at part-timers Eastbourne Borough.

Midfielder Christian Smith scored his second goal in as many games for the Minstermen, but his 63rd-minute header only proved a consolation after another sorry first-half display.

Foyle questioned some of his players’ decision-making, including captain Mark Greaves’ choice to kick into the sun in the first half.

The City boss said: “Players have got to understand the game and play the conditions. We won the toss in the first half, but played into the sun.

“You can’t go to places like Eastbourne and Barrow either and expect to play football. They did well to get the game on and it was a heavy pitch, so you’re not going to get time on the ball.

“I’m a worried man because there’s a lot to learn and a lot of them are naive. They’ve got to grow up.

“We’ve got tricky games coming up and we’ll find out whether players are men or boys because I can’t carry boys at the moment.”

Foyle added that his back four was a particular concern with five goals having been shipped in the last two games as key defender David McGurk was ruled out again due to his calf injury.

The City chief dropped Darren Kelly to the bench for the Sussex clash and partnered Greaves with Danny Parslow in the heart of his defence.

But Parslow was at fault for the home side’s first goal and Greaves limped out of the action on 37 minutes with a hamstring injury.

Foyle was happier when the subsequent reshuffle saw Kyle Critchell move to the centre and Simon Rusk switch to right-back, but admitted he is hoping McGurk might be available for tomorrow night’s match at Altrincham with full-back Ben Purkiss certain to return.

He added: “We’re missing David McGurk. York City supporters probably realise how good he is and I think Danny Parslow has missed him.

“We put Kyle in there because they were lively and might have caused Kells problems if I’d brought him on. Kyle did well and Simon Rusk has played right-back before.

“We don’t look comfortable as a back four though and that worries me. Ben Purkiss will go straight back in tomorrow – no messing around – and hopefully David McGurk will be back as well.”

Foyle gained some encouragement from his team’s performance in midfield, where Levi Mackin made his debut alongside former Wrexham team-mate Smith.

The City boss said: “We were better in the middle of the park at times. We got around people, made tackles and Christian Smith scored again.

“He can get into the box and we’ve got nobody else in the club that can score goals from midfield. I’m pleased that he’s got two in two.

“He’s just got to sharpen up a little bit, but he’d run into a brick wall for you. Levi got caught out a couple of times losing the ball on a bobbly pitch, but he can go simple and get up and down.”

Foyle started Mackin’s fellow Wrexham loan signing Simon Brown as a striker after leaving Daniel McBreen and Onome Sodje out of his travelling party.

The City manager added: “Daniel McBreen and Onome Sodje are a little down on their luck and a bit flat after Tuesday’s game at Barrow. We went with Browny and Richard Brodie up there, but the passes up to them weren’t particularly the best.

“Everything fell short rather than to their feet or behind their defence. We wanted Browny to get down the sides and, when he did, he put some good crosses in, but we didn’t get enough bodies into the box until Christian scored.”

Foyle threw Adam Boyes on for the last half hour and admitted the 18-year-old striker could now start at Altrincham tomorrow after he had a hand in Smith’s goal.

He said: “I was delighted with Adam. He was prepared to run down the channels and was always on the move. He’s aware and has a decent touch and will be in big contention for his debut tomorrow.”