Wembley-Bound strike ace John Milner is set for a summer fling with York City.

TWO TO TANGO: Striker John Milner puts pressure on Rotherham United defender Neil Richardson during yesterday's 1-1 Pontin's League draw at Bootham Crescent

The man, whose 65 goals so far this season have helped Bedlington Terriers to the FA Vase final and the Northern League championship, is keen for a week's pre-season training with the Minstermen after his first appearance at Bootham Crescent.

Milner partnered Neil Tolson in City reserves' attack in their penultimate Pontin's League fixture, which ended in a 1-1 draw with Rotherham United yesterday. He had earlier featured for City reserves at Newcastle United last month.

Despite all his concentration being on the Twin Towers and the Sunday May 16 tussle with Tiverton Town he allowed himself a sneak preview to the coming pre-season.

Offered a week's training with City he said he had been impressed by the club.

Other Nationwide League clubs, including Oxford United and Shrewsbury Town, are said to be tracking Milner, who has scored ten of his 65 goals on the Wembley trail.

But he admitted to liking the set-up at Bootham Crescent.

"From what I have seen it's a tidy club. They're going to give me another ring a bit closer the time of pre-season and I'm prepared to give it a go," declared the hot-shot, who has just turned 25 years of age.

Milner spent his teenage years at Newcastle United, where he played at schoolboy level as a left-back.

When he was cut loose by the Magpies he appeared for Red Star Seaham, where he first sampled life at the sharp end.

"It was about a couple of years ago and I was pushed up front from centre-half against Rochdale in a pre-season game. I got a hat-trick."

Since then the goals have flowed, never more than this strike-crammed campaign bringing him to the notice of City and a pack of other clubs.

"This season's been phenomenal and it would be great if we can just finish it off at Wembley by lifting the Vase. After that it's a case of waiting and seeing what the future holds."

Milner figured for about 75 minutes of yesterday's game in which City took the lead early on through Tolson before wasting a glut of chances enabling the Millers to level midway through the second-half.

Outstanding for the hosts was teenager Lee Bullock pressed into the heart of defence for the injured Martin Reed, while Gordon Connelly was impressive at left wing.

York City wrap up their Pontin's League campaign away to Bradford City tomorrow night when they will aim to clinch a top six finish.

In the third division, former York City striker Marco Gabbiadini netted a 16-minute hat-trick as Darlington thrashed Exeter City 4-0 at Feethams. The other Quakers' goal was scored by former Scarborough player Gary Bennett.

Relegation axe still hangs over Minstermen

Relegation peril continues to dog York City on the eve of their potentially explosive endgame at Manchester City, writes Tony Kelly.

Hopes that fears of the drop would peter out high in the Pennines last night were dashed when strugglers Oldham Athletic scratched out a priceless 1-0 win over Stoke City.

They and Wycombe Wanderers can still both get past York's present 50-points total for the term, though if Wycombe fail to win at home to Wigan tonight then the Minstermen will be off the relegation hook before Saturday's trek to a sell-out Maine Road.

York now have to sweat on the result from Adams Park tonight before discovering whether their Roses clash against Manchester City will be a do or perish effort.Midfielder Scott Jordan is still having intensive treatment on a groin strain in the hope of getting him back into contention for the Maine Road mission.

"He's been in excellent form for us before his injury so we will give him every time in the hope that he is fit," said City's caretaker-chief Neil Thompson.

Oldham meanwhile maintained their hopes of suffering their third fall in the last five years in a stirring show at Boundary Park.

Against a free-tumbling Potters' team whose manager rang a host of changes, the Latics suffered the dismissal of defender Stuart Thom for hauling back Stoke raider Paul O'Connor just half an hour into the game.

Despite the numerical disadvantage the Lancashire hosts struck the only goal of the game, on-loan striker Paul Beavers on target five minutes into the second-half to seal the points and set up a grandstand last-day battle.

That priceless win - only Oldham's seventh at home all season - lifted the Latics out of the bottom four to within two points of the Minstermen.

One relegation place was confirmed last night. Macclesfield swiftly returned to the basement from whence they came when they were held to a 1-1 draw at Notts County.

Spaniard schemer Pedro Matias' opener was cancelled out by a second-half strike from Andy Hughes.

Lincoln City, who along with Northampton Town cannot overhaul York, extended their hope of avoiding a yo-yo fall back into Division Three when Lee Thorpe's fourth goal in the last four games secured the points over Wrexham.

In the clash of the two promoted sides hosts Walsall twice held the lead over champions Fulham, but each time were pegged back in front of an 8,300-plus crowd at Bescot Stadium. The Cottagers' second leveller was claimed by midfielder Steve Hayward two minutes from time.

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