TEENAGE goalkeeper David Stockdale is determined to earn himself a new contract at KitKat Crescent.

Stockdale, 19, admits he was "gutted" by caretaker boss Viv Busby's decision to take him out of the team last month but still hopes to be a Minsterman after his current deal expires in the summer.

The Leeds-born stopper played 19 successive first-team games between August and December and has found it frustrating watching from the sidelines for the last five matches.

He said: "It's been hard being out of the team and I still want to be playing and doing the things I was doing before. When I was playing I felt we weren't doing too badly but we were still losing.

"Viv felt he wanted to change it but, because of my feelings for York City, I want to be out there helping the club by stopping goals going in I was gutted when I was taken out of the team and nothing Viv could say could turn around the fact that I had been dropped but I've just gone back to the training ground and worked as hard as I can.

"I have got my best years to come. I'm only 19 and hopefully I can get a contract for next season and stay at the club."

Chris Porter has impressed between the sticks since being recalled after the 5-1 Boxing Day defeat at Scarborough.

But Stockdale is fully behind his rival for a place in the team, saying: "Ports has done really well and he was really supportive of me when I was in goal so, now the tables have been turned, I am doing the same for him.

"We have a great relationship and I would never bear him a grudge. Hopefully, I will get another chance but the way Chris is playing at the moment is making it difficult."

Stockdale made his City debut when he came on during the Conference home game against Accrington Stanley when Porter was sent off.

He kept his place for the next 17 games and also played for the England non-League XI in Italy.

City's home match with Barnet has been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 15.

The Bees will be in FA Trophy fourth round action on the originally-arranged date of Saturday, February 5 and the club are currently exploring the possibility of bringing a game forward for that weekend.

Updated: 10:39 Saturday, January 22, 2005