Concerned Stuart McCall watched City labour through their final warm-up and admitted: I know we need to buy.

The League Two kick-off finally arrives with Macclesfield at the Coral Windows Stadium next weekend.

But having seen his troops struggle to a 1-0 victory over Halifax in their last friendly, McCall concedes they need bolstering quick.

City were way off the pace during the first half and, although they improved after the break, they only had a single Barry Conlon strike to show for their efforts.

"We got better in the second half but it couldn't have got any worse after that first 45," McCall accepted.

"We were poor in possession and didn't do the job the way I'd have liked.

"There was a marked improvement in the second half and we looked more dangerous but there are certain areas we do need to strengthen.

"We've got to look at bringing one or two in and I know where we need them.

"At the moment, we're operating with only two strikers with Peter Thorne injured and we're still looking for another wide player, although Omar Daley looked just as good on the left as he did on the right."

Jamaican winger Daley was one of the few positives with another dazzling display but McCall warned: "I don't want him being our one and only threat. He was in the first half but we need to be more dangerous from all areas of the pitch."

McCall revealed he has targets lined up and added: "I'm waiting on a couple of things in the next two or three weeks but it's whether or not we wait that long.

"There are a lot of teams in this situation and we have to decide if we move now but I'd like to think we'd have at least one in on loan by Macclesfield."

The boss was delighted for Conlon, who netted his first goal in City colours to break the deadlock on 47 minutes.

"It was nice to see Baz get off the mark," McCall admitted. "He's a team player and puts himself about for the side. I'm pleased for him. He just needed one and at this level he's got a good scoring record.

"Overall, we were strong defensively and got better in the middle of the park."

McCall reckons influential midfielder Paul Evans will be fit for the opener despite sitting out the Halifax fixture with a knock suffered during training on Thursday.

He will also speak to trialist winger Alex Rhodes about his future on Monday after the former Brentford player made his second appearance at The Shay.

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