Minstermen chase winning habit

York City must endeavour to start turning a succession of draws into victories when former Conference rivals Morecambe arrive at Bootham Crescent this weekend. The Minstermen have successfully held promotion contenders Gillingham and Cheltenham Town in front of their own supporters in recent weeks as well as sharing a scoreless home encounter with lowly Aldershot Town. Indeed York have drawn thirteen of their 29 games since gloriously returning to the Football League - the first of those at Morecambe back in August, when skipper Chris Smith and Wembley wizard Ashley Chambers helped them towards their precious first point of the campaign in a 2-2 draw at the Globe Arena. Former City striker Richard Brodie was on target from the penalty spot that evening but has since moved on loan to Conference pacesetters Grimsby Town for the remainder of the season. Morecambe have continued to struggle over recent months but were at least victorious when leaving Dagenham & Redbridge with a favourable 2-1 scoreline a week ago, leaving them just behind their latest opponents in the table.

"We have got the international clearance through [for David McDaid]," York manager Gary Mills told The Press. 'He's all ready to go. He won't start but, certainly, it would excite me to bring him off the bench because he could bring quite a lot. I think there's a good chance he will be involved in the 16 tomorrow."

Former Wrexham right-back Curtis Obeng appears set for an immediate debut after arriving on loan from Swansea City, while new ex-Derry City striker David McDaid was expected to be on the bench. Both have received the necessary international clearance. Meanwhile, defender David McGurk has recovered from a hamstring injury but Michael Coulson, Ashley Chambers, Chris Doig and Lanre Oyebanjo are out.
York City (probable): Ingham, Obeng, Smith, O'Connell, Parslow, Kerr, Potts, McLaughlin, Blair, Walker, Rodman
subs (from): Musselwhite, McGurk, Allan, Fyfield, Challinor, Bullock, McReady, Johnson, Reed, McDaid, Everson

Attacking right-back who has arrived on loan from Premier League Swansea City having previously starred at Wrexham.

Morecambe are currently missing Andy Fleming, Robbie Threlfall and long-term cruciate victim Danny Carlton. But midfielder Ryan Williams is pushing for a start having scored twice in three substitute appearances, including the winner against Dagenham & Redbridge last weekend.
Morecambe (possible): Roche, Haining, Fenton, McCready, Wright, Drummond, McDonald, Williams, Ellison, Redshaw, Holroyd

Former Rhyl and Chester midfielder who only joined in January but recently stepped up after showing particularly well in the reserves.

Morecambe have made four previous Conference visits to Bootham Crescent, winning once and drawing twice. The most recent was their play-off semi-final first-leg which finished 0-0 in May 2007. York lined up in front of a 6,660 crowd on that afternoon: Evans, Lloyd, Parslow, McGurk, James, Bishop, Panther, Woolford, Bowey, Farrell (Brodie), Donaldson. The Shrimps proved victorious by a 2-1 margin in the follow-up game despite a Steve Bowey penalty and then went on to defeat Exeter City by the same scoreline in the final to earn their first-ever promotion to the Football League.

R. Clark (Northumberland)

York - Wycombe (A); Morecambe - Exeter (H)

* YORK CITY FC * PLAY-OFF WINNERS 2012 * FA TROPHY WINNERS 2012 * YORK CITY FC * PLAY-OFF WINNERS 2012 * FA TROPHY WINNERS 2012 * YORK CITY FC * PLAY-OFF WINNERS 2012 * FA TROPHY WINNERS 2012 * YORK CITY FC * PLAY-OFF WINNERS 2012 * FA TROPHY WINNERS 2012 *

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