DEFENDER Keith Lowe reckons York City’s tough pre-season programme could hold them in good stead against Doncaster Rovers tonight in the Capital One Cup.

The Minstermen are hoping for a notable first-round scalp against the League One outfit and centre-half Lowe believes the Minstermen will know exactly what to expect.

City took on higher division outfits Nottingham Forest, Sheffield Wednesday, Hull City and Sheffield United in a tough build up to the new season and the 28-year-old, while admitting the intensity at Bootham Crescent this evening will be much higher, is not fazed at the prospect of a difficult encounter.

He said: “It will be a good game to test ourselves and nice to play in front of our home crowd.

“It is going to be tough. They are higher division opposition. But we have been practising that in pre-season and we are well used to it.”

“It’s exciting. That’s what you want to do,” Lowe continued when asked about the excitement of playing sides from leagues above.

“You want to play against the best players you can and test yourself.

“But it’s a hell of a difference (tonight and pre-season).

“Saturday against Tranmere was so different to all the games we have played in pre-season. It’s a lot more intense and there is a lot more riding on it.

“Today will be tough but we will be ready and we will go again.

“I don’t think coming to Bootham Crescent is going to a nice trip for anybody. We have got a lot of support, a good strong organised team and I don’t think anyone will look forward to it.”

Lowe got City’s second-half goal in the 1-1 draw at Prenton Park at the weekend, driving in a firm header and later forcing a brilliant save out of goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams as York repeatedly caused trouble from set-pieces.

On his goal, he said: “I was surprised to get away because I was marked quite well in the first half and I didn’t really get near anything.

“I was quite far out, I swung my head at it and, luckily, it has ended up in the back of the net. I was delighted with it.

“I was trying to get some power on it because, even if it didn’t go straight in, it might deflect off someone and I was actually disappointed not to score the second one as well.

“The keeper made a decent save and that could have wrapped it up nicely, but it wasn’t to be. I think the second one was actually a better header.

“It was through a crowd of players and I managed to get it on target. But I was delighted to get one and long may it continue.”