YORK City manager Martin Foyle admitted his misfiring strikers are low on confidence after a 1-1 draw against Tamworth.

Foyle paired Richard Brodie and Michael Gash in attack for the fourth successive game on Saturday before replacing the latter with Michael Rankine in the second half.

But all three frontmen have now endured long droughts in front of goal with centre-back Luke Graham getting on the scoresheet against the Lambs, only for ex-City defender Chris Smith to earn the visitors a share of the spoils in the 82nd minute.

Gash has failed to net for 15 matches, Brodie 11 and Rankine ten, with City chief Foyle saying: “We did not do particularly well on the ball and all the strikers are a bit low on confidence, which is showing in their play.

“We need to put an arm around them, keep working with them on the training ground and, hopefully, something special will happen soon.”

Foyle did feel that 27-goal leading marksman Brodie was denied a chance to end his barren run when the England ‘C’ international appeared to be hacked down in the box by Tamworth midfielder Jay Smith. “It was a blatant penalty and their player said he didn’t know how he’d got away with it afterwards,” Foyle revealed.

The City boss was also unhappy with some of his side’s defending in the the first half and for Smith’s goal.

He added: “I was pleased that Luke got his first goal for us and it’s about time because he’s a strong presence in the box.

“I thought him and James Meredith were our best players by a long shot.

“There were a few disappointing performances though and, if we want to go where we want to go, we have to be better than that.

“I cannot believe how we invited pressure on ourselves with poor defending in the first half.

“For their goal, they also had two men at the back post which shouldn’t have been the case.

“Michael Ingham pulled off a great save, but somebody else was there to put in the rebound.”

Despite dropping two points, fifth-placed City remain five clear of their rivals for a play-off place after a favourable set of results elsewhere.

Foyle said: “We’ve got another point on the board and you have to take the positives because Wimbledon lost and Kettering and Mansfield drew with each other.

“It’s another round of games gone and we’ve also got to remember that we’ve taken seven points from nine after two great away wins.”

• Harrogate Minstermen are running transport for tomorrow’s trip to Grays.

The fare is £20. For bookings and more details, phone John Uttley on 07805 226342.