YORK City chief Terry Dolan has irons in the forward fire after missing out on ace marksmen Luke Beckett.

The City boss has stepped up his hunt for new strikers after prime target Beckett pledged his allegiance to Division Three rivals Chesterfield - who, ironically, City face on the first day of the new season.

The Minstermen may be shown just what they missed out on when they travel to Saltergate on August 12, when they come face to face with the former Chester hotshot.

City had agreed a fee with the Deva Stadium club for the 23-year-old, but he chose instead to move to Derbyshire. However, Dolan remained undaunted by the move, and has turned his sights elsewhere. "We have made one or two inquiries and are just awaiting people to get back to us," admitted the City boss, who was remaining tight-lipped as to who his wanted men are.

But while anxious to beef up his attack the City manager does not expect any imminent signings.

With Dolan taking one last week off before the players return for pre-season training on July 6 he admitted there is unlikely to be any unveilings this month.

Duane Darby, a striker linked with City after playing under Dolan during his Hull days, will not be heading to Bootham Crescent, however.

Darby has signed for big spending Nationwide Conference outfit Rushden and Diamonds from Notts County for a six-figure fee.

The non-league giants are believed to have offered Darby an incredible 200 per cent at rise to join their quest for promotion from the Conference.

The club, funded by Dr Martens millionaire founder Max Griggs, recently spent a record £180,000 to recruit Morecambe striker Justin Jackson.

Following their opening day travels to Chesterfield, City's first game of the new term at Bootham Crescent comes a week later when Cheltenham - who City beat 1-0 away as Dolan's bandwagon continued to role at the end of last season - visit York.

Minstermen fans only have to wait a few weeks for a crunch derby game, with City travelling to play-off finalists Darlington on September 2. The return fixture is on February 3.

Hull City meanwhile, visit Bootham Crescent on October 28, with the return match at Boothferry Park on April 16.

The festive period sees York travel to Macclesfield on Boxing Day and play host to Chesterfield on New Year's Day.