Minstermen refuse to rest on their laurels

The Minstermen sit 13th following last week’s splendid victory at promotion-chasing Fleetwood Town, the club’s fourth victory in seven outings since the turn of the year.

It represents York’s highest standing of the season but, ahead of welcoming Cheltenham Town to Bootham Crescent, Worthington insists no one at the club is resting on their laurels.

He said: “I don’t get sucked in by our mid-table position. Six points is all we are above the relegation zone, while six points the other way will see us in eighth place. That is how tight this is.

“We have to focus on doing what we are capable of doing. Work hard and, with the quality we have, the results do come.

“Winning at Fleetwood is great in terms of giving the lads belief.

“It was a good, solid performance and I thought the three points were well deserved.

“I never ask the players to do something they are not capable of doing but I did think we could win at Fleetwood. The key now is building on that result.”

Today’s visit of Cheltenham 
offers the possibility of Keith Lowe and Russell Penn facing their former club.

Lowe, in particular, has made a big impact at Bootham Crescent since moving north on loan from the Robins in mid-November.

In his 14 appearances for York, the club have conceded just 12 goals – a record that looks even more impressive when it is noted that in the 14 games preceding Lowe’s arrival the opposition found the net 27 times against York.

Worthington said: “Keith has been very good. He has brought great experience to both the club and the team. To get those type of players around the place with such great league experience is a big thing.

“Lads like Keith are great for the youngsters, too. They can look at him and pick up good habits. He has definitely played a part in that improvement.”

Both Penn and Lowe, who signed permanently for York in January, are both likely to start today against the Robins.

Worthington said: “Cheltenham will be a hard-fought game. They are round about us in the table so this is a big three points.”