YORK City boss Billy McEwan is expecting his young side's toughest challenge of the season when Exeter visit KitKat Crescent tomorrow (3pm).

The Minstermen have already travelled to current leaders Grays Athletic and managed a draw after conceding a stoppage-time equaliser but McEwan believes the fifth-placed Grecians' visit will represent an even bigger challenge.

Exeter were top of the Conference table until back-to-back defeats against Stevenage Borough and Burton Albion and only managed a draw at home to Woking on Tuesday night.

The City boss did, however, add that the Devon club's return of one point from a possible nine from their last three matches should offer his team encouragement as well as serve as a warning of a possible backlash.

McEwan said: "It was nice to bounce back from a defeat with a good win at Tamworth but we are under no illusions how tough this game will be. They were flying before the last three matches and they will be looking to put that right.

"They might think they will get more space away from home and the pressure and weight of expectancy won't be as high after they took one point from their last two home games and I think this will be a big, big test for our young side - the toughest yet. They have got a lot of players with League experience and are expecting to get promotion.

"They will be up there at the end of the season because they have got a good set-up and good players for this level but they lost to Burton and drew with Woking so they are certainly beatable.

"We have got to approach it professionally and work our socks off as we have done all season apart from the first 45 minutes against Aldershot."

McEwan also now has the luxury of choosing between two formations that have brought success this season.

The City boss dispensed with the three-pronged strikeforce he had used in the first ten matches during Tuesday night's 3-0 triumph at Tamworth and could now adopt a "horses for courses" approach towards tactics for other games this season.

Joe O'Neill made way for 20-year-old winger Bryan Stewart at the Lamb Ground and McEwan could be tempted to field a 4-4-2 line-up again.

He said: "We picked horses for courses at Tamworth and might have to do the same against Exeter. We will also have to see how the players are injury-wise, as a few have taken knocks.

"Bryan Stewart did okay at Tamworth. He did a good job for the team and gave us balance on the left.

"He has electric pace and has got to learn how to use it but he's only young."

Left-back Nathan Peat is back in contention for a recall after recovering from a calf problem but is unlikely to be rushed back with Dave Merris deputising ably.

Former trialist Danny Ekoku, who turned down the opportunity to sign for the Minstermen this summer to join Crawley Town, has joined Conference South outfit Sutton United on loan.

Tomorrow's squads

Nationwide Conference

York city v Exeter City

(at KitKat Crescent)

City (probable): Porter, Price, McGurk, Dudgeon, Merris, Convery, Panther, Dunning, Stewart, Bishop, Donaldson. Subs: Afandiyev, Hotte, Yalcin, O'Neill, Palmer.

Exeter (probable): P Jones, Hiley, Sawyer, Todd, B Jones, Afful, Challinor, Taylor, Scully, Flack, Farrell. Subs: Gaia, Rice, Edwards, Mackie, Buckle.

Referee: Dave Foster (Tyne & Wear). Kick-off: 3pm

Updated: 10:37 Friday, September 30, 2005