Martin Ling

Ling: We're stuck in a rut

Cambridge United manager Martin Ling has admitted his side are stuck in a rut after seeing them slump to a sixth consecutive defeat on Saturday.

Martin Foyle's York City claimed the spoils thanks to Neil Barratt's 48th minute strike, leaving the U's languishing in a disappointing 14th place with 33 points from 28 games.

Ling told his club's official website: "You can criticise them for not winning the game, for missing chances, and perhaps you can criticise Rory (McAuley) on the goal for putting it out for a throw instead of just knocking it down the line.

"But you're talking small criticisms, and I can't criticise them today in terms of effort or endeavour, but at the moment the results aren't following so it's frustrating, the most frustrating period I've had since being a manager.

"They're (York City) a good side, with two solid banks of four that are difficult to break down, and the two up front (Brodie and Rankine) are always dangerous," said Ling. "But we've kept them quiet, the goal's taken a slight deflection off Sam Ives, and then Lee (Phillips) missed a great chance to get us back into it.

"It's frustrating for everybody concerned but we've got to show some character because we're in a rut and I'm looking at the bottom of the league at the moment more than the top.

"We need to get out of this rut and get out of it quickly."