York City were today handed a plum home tie against First Division Crewe Alexandra in the first round of next season's new look Worthington Cup.

The match will have an added edge for supporters of both clubs - it will be the first time the two sides have clashed in a knockout competition since the Minstermen's Division Three Wembley play-off success in 1993.

In a significant change to previous years, next season's competition has been re-styled so that all the rounds except the semi-finals will be played over one rather than two legs.

Although Dario Gradi's men will be favourites to progress to the second round, the new format gives City a great chance of pulling off a cup shock in a competition that has provided some of the club's greatest nights and recalls the finest hour in City's recent history.

One-off ties give smaller clubs a better chance of progression over high-flying opposition.

Speaking to the Evening Press earlier this year, manager Terry Dolan said he believed the changes could only bring major pluses for clubs like City.

They will put to an end dead matches, as epitomised by City's game with Stoke last season.

After a 5-1 home defeat in the first leg for City little more than 3,400 fans turned out at the gargantuan Britannia Stadium for the second-leg, which ended goalless.

In turn, it will make games more exciting and should prevent the big clubs fielding weakened teams if they are serious about progressing as far as possible.

However, excitement generated over a period of time, like that witnessed during City's famous wins over Everton and Manchester United in the 1990s, will be lost to fans.

More significantly, should City draw the likes of United again while they can expect bumper gate receipts if they are drawn at home the lack of an away tie would deprive them of a second, more lucrative bite at the cash pie.

However, City chief Dolan welcomed the move when it was announced - and not just because of the memory of the Stoke tie still lingered.

"It is definitely a good thing," said Dolan. "If you are drawn away to a big club you will probably get a bigger gate than if it was a two-legged situation.

"If you are drawn at home you have a better chance of beating them.

"To me that is what cup football should be all about - a one-off game."

Football League Chief Executive David Burns has described the change in format as a "positive development" for a competition he described as the "biggest re-distributor of wealth within the game".

"It will mean more entertaining football for fans and even more surprise results than ever before. I am certain we can look forward to an exciting and financially rewarding Worthington Cup next season," he said.

Updated: 12:16 Tuesday, June 19, 2001