SKIPPER Russell Penn declared it is still "all to play for" when York City's bid to reach Wembley reaches a climax in the League Two play-off semi-final second leg at Fleetwood Town on Friday night.

The Minstermen captain was disappointed his side's 17-match unbeaten run came to an end as the Cod Army took a 1-0 win away from Bootham Crescent following the first leg on Monday night but he believes the tie is still in the balance.

"It's disappointing in a way but it is only half-time," he said. "I know it's an old cliche but it is a two-legged tie. We had good and bad spells and we will take the positives from those good spells and, hopefully, take them into Friday.

"We started decently but they had a good spell of 20 minutes in the second half, got the goal and had a couple of chances. Then we had a 20 minute spell where we should have scored so it is all to play for. It's 1-0. It is the narrowest of margins with a whole game to play.

"The play-offs are two games in one. The first legs are always a bit nervy, from both sides, and you are trying to work each other out."

Asked how City could improve their showing in Lancashire, Penn was blunt: "Just win the game," he added. "It's not even half-time really. It's a full game. It's all to play for on Friday and we are looking forward to it. It will be a decent crowd and we are going to go there positive."

The man with the armband will be pushing City for an early goal at Highbury Stadium and wants his men to start as they finished the home match.

Penn said: "Are they going to sit back or are they going to attack? It's up to us to take the ascendancy and get the goal. An early goal would be great. It would be game on then.

"We've got a whole 90 minutes to win the game. We've been on a great run of form. Hopefully, we can take that into Friday. The season is not finished yet. We need to go there on the front foot and really take the game to them."

Penn was inspired after playing in front of nearly 5,000 York fans and added: "It was great. We are gutted we couldn't get the result for them but we have got good support going there on Friday and, hopefully, we can bring it back for them."