Wideman Paul Stephenson was today winging his way to Third Division Hartlepool United after a shock swoop for the York City ace.

And in a second northern raid City centre-back Steve Tutill was expected to agree a permanent move to Darlington, where his loan spell was due to end this weekend. Both are leaving Bootham Crescent on free transfers.

Stephenson's imminent departure - he is due to complete the transfer at the Victoria Park this afternoon, subject to a medical - was confirmed by City manager Alan Little, who placed the winger and Tutill on the transfer list six months ago along with five other first-teamers.

It was revealed that Hartlepool made an approach last week, but Little was loathe to allow the 30-year-old winger to go while City's faint play-off hopes were alive.

Said the manager: "I was reluctant because of the chance of the play-offs. But the team blew it against Preston. So Paul Stephenson is away.

"With him out the next fortnight anyway I could not see the mileage in keeping him for what would be the last five games when he doesn't want to play here.

"The Bosman ruling will cause us to lose players as well as gain them.

"Paul Stephenson wants to go to Hartlepool and that's the end of the story."

Stephenson's future at City has been in doubt ever since he was transfer-listed after City's Coca-Cola Cup triumph over Port Vale last September. His contract was due to run out this summer and there was no indication that he would be kept on by the club. One of his former clubs Brentford showed an immediate interest, but Stephenson did not want to return to London.

Hartlepool's offer of a contract is a lifeline to the winger, who will be able to move even closer to his Newcastle roots.

Stephenson arrived at City from Brentford in 1995 in a £25,000 deal, which manager Little has since cited as a 'bargain'.

He made a wing slot his own, even though his first season was marked by two severe injuries, a broken arm and hairline fracture of the leg.

This season he has enjoyed his most consistent run of form both out wide and as a scorer, weighing in with five goals in 39 starts, where previously he had notched just four goals in 68 League and cup starts.

Since making his debut as a teenage contemporary of England's Paul Gascoigne with his native Newcastle United in 1986, Stephenson has notched 337 League games with the Magpies, Millwall, Gillingham (on loan), Brentford and City.

Tutill, meanwhile, was ironing out personal details over a permanent move to Hartlepool's Third Division rivals Darlington after starring as captain since going to Feethams on loan last month.

The deal signals the end of an 11-year association with his home-city club for Tutill stretching 300 League games.

City Reserves drew 2-2 at Wrexham last night, with comeback striker Neil Tolson and Scott Jordan on target.

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