FORMER Mariner Lee Nogan will be putting friendship to one side tomorrow as he aims to cast York City into the FA Cup fourth round for the first time in 16 years.

Nogan is a close pal of new Grimsby Town player-boss Paul Groves after spending a couple of seasons at Blundell Park prior to a move to Darlington in 1999.

Nogan is adamant Groves, 35, will be undaunted by his new managerial role - thrust upon him following last week's departure of Lennie Lawrence - nor the prospect of a potential FA Cup upset at the hands of City.

Crucially too, the Welsh international hit-man believes with Groves in charge the First Division outfit, a team with a reputation for playing a passing game, could possess a new dimension tomorrow.

"I know Grovesy well and speak to him on and off," explained the 32-year-old.

"He'll know this will be a tough tie for Grimsby and he won't be taking us lightly.

"Grovesy is a good pro, he's been in the lower leagues and he knows what it is like. He'll have the players well up for it."

Nogan added: "Grimsby have a reputation for playing football.

"When I was at Grimsby under Alan Buckley it was a case of knocking the ball across the back and through the midfield, trying to create space that way.

"I am sure Grovesy will want them to play football too.

"But he will make sure they do the other side of things as well, like closing down and even knocking a few long balls.

"Grovesy will have his own ideas and it is going to be very difficult for us."

Despite the task facing City, Nogan, who scored his eighth goal of the season in last Saturday's 1-1 draw with Shrewsbury, is confident City can spring another Cup surprise.

Already this season, City have knocked out Second Division opposition in the form of Colchester and Reading, another of Nogan's former clubs.

"It was a great result against Reading and we had a good result against Shrewsbury, which we can hopefully take into Saturday's game," he said.

"If we can approach the game like we did the one against Reading I can't see why we can't turnover Grimsby."

Nogan admitted the uncertainty surrounding the club at the moment was not ideal, but insisted the players had to remain focused.

"As a player you just have to concentrate on the football and let the financial side take care of itself.

"I know it is a clich, but you have just got to take each game as it comes, especially now given the club's financial plight.

"We have just got to concentrate on winning as many games as possible."

Updated: 08:48 Friday, January 04, 2002