Striker debut for Rangers

Stafford Rangers manager Phil Robinson was forced to name himself amongst the substitutes as his side went down 2-0 at York City last night - where new striker Tom Youngs made his debut.

In the end, Robinson didn't enter the action but his inclusion highlighted the problem caused by a small squad lacking four key members.

Wayne Daniel and David McNiven (both injured), Djoumin Sangare (one-match ban) and Kevin Street (illness) all missed the defeat at KitKat Crescent which left relegation-threatened Rangers nine points from safety.

Robinson was quick to praise his players in defeat.

He said: "I thought it was a valiant effort and the players worked tirelessly, particularly in the second half.

"They had a really good go at getting back into the game. When you have a small squad and lose key players, it was always going to make it difficult against York.

"We had the assistant manager David Oldfield playing 90 minutes and the manager on the bench.

"It just goes to show we are short on numbers and we need our key players back fit as soon as possible."

But Cedric Avinel was added to the injury list after last night's game and is considered a doubt for Saturday's home clash with Cambrudge United.

One new face to make his debut at York was new signing Tom Youngs.

The 28-year-old forward played for Bury last season and made over 100 appearances for Cambridge United earlier in his career.

"We have been having a look at Tom and, with our injury situation, we decided to sign him."