PROLIFIC Conference marksman Lee Boylan looks set for his first start in three months against York City tomorrow.

Boylan made a hero's return after a life-threatening injury when he climbed off the bench to net the only goal in Saturday's 1-0 win at Altrincham.

The former West Ham trainee's last appearance had been three months earlier but ended when he collided into a goalpost and, having his airway blocked by his tongue, he was thankful for quick thinking by Kingstonian defender Tommy Moorhouse in an FA Trophy tie.

Moorhouse, who had been sent off three times for Kingstonian during the season prior to the match, turned from villain to hero when he used the referee's pencil to pull out Boylan's tongue allowing him to breathe again.

The 27-year-old striker has only just received the all-clear to return from his fractured cheekbone injury and resume full-contact sport having also experienced dizziness after his accident.

But his goal against Altrincham was his ninth in just 14 starts for Canvey this season, taking his tally to 23 in 43 matches during the two seasons since the Essex club's promotion to the Conference.

His return will be welcomed by Canvey, who have failed to hit the target in six of their last ten games, scoring just five times during that run.

Island have, however, enjoyed back-to-back 1-0 wins against Crawley Town and Altrincham in their last two outings and, in 16th position, are the highest-placed club of the Conference's four remaining part-time outfits ahead of Altrincham (17th), Tamworth (21st) and Southport (22nd).

Canvey defender Dominic Sterling will face a late fitness test for the home team having injured his knee against Altrincham.

City match points

Canvey Island v City

CITY lost at Canvey Island 4-0 in their last away game of last season. The line-up on April 19, 2005 was: Stockdale, Law (Armstrong), Groves, Davis, Merris, Yalcin, Webster, Donovan, Stewart, Bishop, PD Robinson (Jackson).

It Happened on

March 18

1959: Barrie Tait was the match winner in a 1-0 success at Darlington and City were third in Division Four.

1961: Norman Wilkinson scored his 100th goal for the club in a 3-1 win at Mansfield Town. Dennis Hoggart netted the other two goals and City were fifth in Division Four.

1966: City remained bottom of Division Three (League One) following a 4-1 home defeat at the hands of Oxford United. Dave Dunmore scored the consolation goal from the penalty spot and the attendance was 4,076.

1978: City moved out of the bottom four of the Fourth Division after a 2-1 win at Rochdale with Kevin Randall scoring twice.

1986: A 1-0 defeat at Wigan Athletic left City ninth in the Third (League One).

1995: Paul Barnes (pictured below) was the marksman in a 1-0 home win over Brighton in front of 2,915. City were eighth in Division Two (League One).

2003: City moved into a Division Three (League Two) promotion play-off position following a 1-0 win away to Bristol Rovers. Darren Edmondson was the scorer.

Statistics supplied by David Batters

Updated: 09:56 Friday, March 17, 2006