INJURED defenders David McGurk and Daniel Parslow are both expected to be ruled out of tomorrow’s home match with Salisbury City.

Top scorer Richard Brodie could also be doubtful after Saturday’s bruising encounter at Forest Green, which saw the Minstermen go down 2-1 to suffer a third straight defeat.

McGurk had to limp out of the action with a knee injury after City had brought on all three subs, while Parslow (foot) and Brodie (calf) both took late blows that required treatment at the final whistle.

Disappointed City manager Martin Foyle said: “I think we’ve got another four players who won’t play tomorrow now, along with Alex Lawless, so it will be a case of all hands to the pumps.”

The Minstermen fell behind at the Lawn when Danny Powell’s intended cross sailed into Michael Ingham’s top left-hand corner on 22 minutes.

A deflected Levi Mackin effort – his first goal in City colours – then levelled the scores before Ollie Thorne sidefooted in the winning goal after 55 minutes from a free-kick.

Foyle was unhappy with the nature of both goals conceded, saying: “We started very well and took the game to them. We were in control but they scored a fluke goal and that seems to dent our confidence at the moment.

“Having said that, their player went through two soft tackles by Ben Purkiss and Dan Parslow. Then, we went to sleep at a set-piece for their second goal. That’s two that have gone in like that during the last two games and it’s cost us.

“The ball was put into a decent area but I didn’t score many goals like that, sidefooting in from close range.

“We got caught on the wrong side of him and that’s not good enough in the position we are in.”

Foyle added that he is looking for more character from his team, ahead of what he believes is now a “must-win” match against Salisbury as City’s stranglehold on a play-off place continues to slip.

The Minstermen have surrendered third place in the table for the first time since November after Rushden climbed above them.

But, in reality, with Chester’s record due to be expunged, City are lying sixth following the weekend’s results, placing considerable significance on tomorrow’s fixture.

The City chief has also asked for more patience from supporters following criticism at the end of Saturday’s game. He said: “We are at a bit of a crossroads and one or two have gone into their shells a bit. We need to be a bit stronger and braver on the ball.

“That’s easy when you’re winning but, when you’re losing, it’s a different ball game. You don’t go through a season without two or three bad patches and tomorrow night’s game is now a must win.

“I don’t want everything to fizzle out, as it is doing at the moment. It’s easy for the supporters to slaughter the players as they come off the pitch, but we don’t need that.

“We have to keep them buoyant.”

Mackin was shown his ninth yellow card of the season at Forest Green, moving him to within one caution of a two-match suspension. The City boss was disappointed with his latest booking for retaliation and added: “We’ve been getting too many silly bookings recently, not even in the right areas of the pitch and now he looks like he will be missing two games soon.”

McGurk and James Meredith also saw their names taken, but City are considering an appeal against the latter decision.

“We will try and get James’ yellow card rescinded as it was a case of mistaken identity,” Foyle explained. “It should have been Luke Graham who was booked.”