The season's end cannot come soon enough for York City striker Alex Mathie.

The Minstermen front man admits the City faithful nor manager Terry Dolan have seen the best of him in his six-month Bootham Crescent stint.

But the 33-year-old former Ipswich goal king has vowed to come back at the start of next season refreshed and raring to go.

Mathie, hampered by hip and hamstring problems, has made 16 starts and scored just two goals since he was snapped up by City chief Dolan in September to end City's poor return in front of goal.

He scored in only his second game - a 2-1 win over Mansfield - to spark hopes of a productive season but since then has found the net only once, albeit a goal of the season contender in the FA Cup tie with Reading.

"It has been a frustrating time," Mathie said.

"I started the first six games and I have never really got going after that. I thought I did quite well when I first came but I hadn't been playing that much football and it took it out of me.

"I don't think people will see the best of me until the start of next season when I will get a pre-season under my belt.

"I can't complain to be fair, the gaffer has been patient with me and the boys are doing well up front.

"But I am dying to get a good pre-season under my belt."

Mathie boosted his fitness last night in City reserves' 3-1 home defeat to Wrexham. He also has another chance tomorrow night when the second-string visit Blackpool.

"It wasn't one of the better games I have played in the reserves but I am getting there now," he reasoned.

While looking ahead to the start of next season with relish, Mathie admitted there was still much to do in this campaign.

And while helping see-off relegation was a major spur, Mathie admitted the chance to play alongside inform Lee Nogan was an added incentive.

"Hopefully, I might get a couple of games in before the end of the season in the first team," he said.

"We have turned the corner a little bit now and we have got a good bunch of lads. The gaffer has brought a few new faces in and we have all gelled in well.

"Lee is a good footballer, he has got a good footballing brain on him, and that would be ideal."

Last night's 3-1 defeat to First Division leaders Wrexham severely dented City reserves' hopes of promotion to the Avon Insurance League Premier Division.

Craig Faulconbridge bagged a hat-trick for the Welshman as the curtain came down on the second-string's home campaign.

Faulconbridge fired Wrexham into a 2-0 half-time lead although Scott Emmerson missed a chance to narrow the arrears in first-half stoppage time when his penalty was saved by David Walsh.

Trialist Chris Smith fired home from a Neville Stamp corner ten minutes into the second-half to give City hope of a fight-back, but four minutes later Faulconbridge completed his hat-trick.

Smith, set to be released by Reading at the end of the season, has now completed his trial spell at Bootham Crescent.

City boss Terry Dolan will not be following up his interest for the time being, but has vowed to keep tabs on the teenager..

* Leeds United include Republic of Ireland schemer Stephen McPhail and England winger Jason Wilcox for their FA Premier League reserves game against Middlesbrough at Bootham Crescent tonight (ko 7pm).

Leeds: Paul Robinson, Alan Maybury, Gareth Evans, Kevin Dixon, Danny Hay, Shane Cansdell-Sherriff, Jacob Burns, Wesley Boyle, Tony Hackworth, Stephen McPhail, Jason Wilcox. Subs from Harpal Singh, Danny Milosevic, Frazer Richardson, Simon Johnson, Jamie McMaster, Tony Lennon, Thomas Newey.

Updated: 10:36 Tuesday, April 10, 2001