York City v Leyton Orient: Tall order of survival is welcomed by Minstermen boss Jackie McNamara

York City manager Jackie McNamara. Picture: Tony Johnson

Kevin Nolan’s men sit eighth in the table, one place below Wycombe Wanderers in the final play-off berth.

The Chairboys then head to Bootham Crescent a week today, with sixth-placed Portsmouth and fifth-placed Bristol Rovers also due in the Minster city before the end of the month.

Throw in trips to fourth-placed Accrington Stanley and form team Hartlepool United, and the size of task facing Jackie McNamara’s side is clear for all to see. They already sit seven points adrift of safety but throw in a truly abysmal goal difference and Stevenage, third bottom of League Two, look a long way off York in the table.

“We are running out of games and have to make them count,” said McNamara, whose side will finish the campaign on May 7 with a trip to Morecambe.

“It (survival) is still there. I genuinely believe we can stay up. I know others have written us off but the signs are there.

“It is within us to stay in the League. If we win against Orient and they (Stevenage) draw, it is closer. Then, we are at home to Wycombe. Six points could change everything. That is what happened to Yeovil (who have moved out of trouble in recent weeks after being seemingly locked in trouble with York, Dagenham and Stevenage).”

Russell Penn misses the visit of Orient, who beat York 3-2 earlier in the season at Brisbane Road.

McNamara added: “Defensively, we keep giving ourselves too much to do. We need to concentrate for 90 minutes. When we get that, we win. But it hasn’t been happening enough.”