AN ‘embarrassed’ Adam Hinshelwood berated his York City players after their shock 1-0 FA Trophy exit to Gainsborough Trinity.

Despite dominating large parts of the first-half, York failed to break down a resilient Gainsborough side who gave a good account of themselves on the day, continuing their cup heroics that saw the hosts go as far as the second round in the FA Cup.

It was Declan Howe, brother of City captain Callum, who scored the only goal of the game with a composed finish on the hour mark following an error from goalkeeper Rory Watson.

Hinshelwood expressed his disappointment at the defeat and even questioned the standards of certain players that were given opportunities on the afternoon, with the boss issuing an apology to the travelling support.

“Massively, massively disappointed. I thought that it was an embarrassing performance in large parts,” Hinshelwood fumed.

“The football was brilliant in the first-half, we get into good areas and we don’t take chances, which is the worst kind of football. There was no substance to it.

“The second-half, I think we only worked their goalkeeper with a cross that got deflected and he’s made an unbelievable save. As soon as he’s saved that, you know that it’s going to be one of those games.

“I’ve seen it enough in football, if you don’t take your chances.

“It was a horrible performance in large parts because they’ve sat in and made it difficult, and we haven’t got enough quality to break them down.

“When you do get into good areas, it was disappointing. Really, really disappointed.

“It was a massive turnout, I’m disappointed for the fans that took the time to get here.

“We’ve got a lot of away games just after Christmas as well, and I know too well the expense that goes out over Christmas and over New Year.

“For the fans to come and support us today and for us to go out the way we did was a real embarrassment.

“I felt embarrassed, I hope the players do and there’s nothing that we can look at that can console that.

“We’ve got some real tough away games coming up and we’ve got to be better than that today.”

Hinshelwood opted to make eight changes to his York side, with only Malachi Fagan-Walcott, Dan Batty and David Ajiboye not receiving a rest from the New Year’s Day 1-0 win over Gateshead.

With the City boss handing out opportunities to a number of fringe players, he was angry at their passion on the field and admitted that some of the players were being ‘left behind’ after the standards had been raised compared to last season.

Hinshelwood vented: “Not today, I’m first to criticise myself but not today.

“The players represent York City as they are all contracted to York City, they need to perform better than that ultimately.

“We talk about our squad and stuff but maybe we haven’t got a squad, maybe it’s a squad of 14 players.

“That’s where we are, that’s the reality.

“I’m not going to be tinkering too much with the starting 11 moving forward, you get the shirt, you earn the shirt, you earn your place.

“If you fall behind, you come out and someone else get that’s opportunity.

“That’s how it’s going to be, because we proved today that some players are not near the level.

“The level has gone up, we’re a team that wants to be competing towards the top end of the table now, not a team that just wants to stay up on the last day of the season.

“The levels have gone up and the players have got to come with it, that’s the expectation now.

“We are going to leave some behind.”

It was admittedly Watson’s mistake that led to Howe’s winner in the contest, but Hinshelwood was more frustrated with City’s struggles again in front of goal, similarly to their narrow win over Gateshead.

Hinshelwood felt that the first goal was always going to be a deciding factor in which direction the game would pan out, with York’s firepower proving to have another off day despite playing against a side at a lower level.

“The first goal was massive, it was a mistake playing out and then it going under him, the goal.

“Ultimately, we didn’t create enough today, was a bit lacklustre and we had too many players that were bullied on the day.

“That was really alarming to watch.

“When you’re playing against a team that defends with the amount of numbers that they get back and behind the ball, the first goal is crucial.

“If you don’t get it, it makes it even harder and they get even more men back.

“That was always going to be the way, but the damage was done in the first-half by not taking the chances and I think that too many players had not enough aggression or passion to get the ball into the back of the net.

“That was evident and disappointing to see, there’s no hiding it, I’m bitterly disappointed.

“I wish Gainsborough the best of luck, I hope they get a good draw.”