Peter Taylor today dismissed rumours of a fall-out with joint-chairman Mark Lawn as “total rubbish”.

Taylor reacted angrily over unsubstantiated claims that he had threatened to walk out after an alleged row.

Four losses in the first five games have left struggling City already ten points behind leaders Shrewsbury.

But Taylor remains convinced he can revive the team’s present form and results.

And the City boss insisted that there was no disagreement with the board.

He said: “Apparently it was suggested that I’ve had a fall-out with Mark Lawn and basically told him to pay me up and I’ll go. That’s a load of old rubbish.

“It isn’t right at the minute and we all know that. But I’m very determined to turn this round and produce a team that will go on a good run.

“That’s what I’m concentrating on doing, rather than answering stupid comments on the internet.”

Lawn also laughed it off and said: “If this so-called story came from a source, then it is a particularly bad source.

“Peter had a discussion with Julian and myself last week but at no time was there anything like that mentioned.

“All I can put it down to is people clutching at straws because we haven’t had the best results.”

Taylor saw signs in the latest defeat to Port Vale to suggest City’s fortunes will change.

It was an improved display on the previous home games against Southend the week before and Stevenage.

He said: “I’ve been quite open in saying how disappointed I was in other games and the pressure was on the players on Saturday. I have to say I thought they came through brilliantly.

“Unfortunately they left somebody free from a corner that shouldn’t have been given in the first place and we know the second goal was a farce. But I thought the work rate was right and the performance definitely deserved something.

“Port Vale will be up there without a doubt but we gave them a good game. I felt that everybody could come off the park pleased with themselves because the performance was there and there was togetherness and hard work.

“It’s going to be a long haul and we know that. We obviously want to get it right come Saturday but if not we’ll carry on working until it does.”

City, one of the pre-season hot favourites for promotion, currently sit third from bottom, a point above Macclesfield and More-cambe. But Taylor has been in the game too long to panic about early league tables and is confident in keeping morale high.

“I will make sure that happens. I’ve been here before. Talking to (Port Vale boss) Micky Adams on Saturday, they were second bottom at Brighton when he first went there. Everybody was calling for his head and he ended up winning the league.

“It’s still very early in the season and there is a long, long way to go. I know that if we get it right we can go on a good run that will push us right up there.”