YORK City boss Nigel Worthington is targeting an end to the club's poor run of results in cup competitions.

The Minstermen head to Barnsley for tonight's Johnstone's Paint Trophy first round tie at Oakwell, having only won one of their ten knockout ties since gaining promotion back to the Football League in 2012.

That sole success - a 1-0 triumph at Rotherham - came two seasons ago in tonight's competition under previous boss Gary Mills.

During Worthington's tenure, City have fallen at the first hurdle in the FA Cup, the Johnstone's Paint Trophy and the Capital One Cup twice, conceding 15 goals in five contests.

But the former Northern Ireland chief was unfortunate to see his side lose 1-0 to Doncaster in the latter tournament earlier this term and, whilst expecting a strong test from SkyBet League One neighbours Barnsley, managed by his old Sheffield Wednesday team-mate Danny Wilson, Worthington is hopeful of progress in South Yorkshire.

He said: "It can get in the way of what you are trying to do in the League, but I think it's good for clubs to win a few games in the cups. I thought we were excellent against Doncaster in the Capital One Cup and unfortunate not to get anything out of that match.

"Barnsley won't be easy but we will be preparing properly and, if we can go there and perform, we can get a result. I know their manager well and they will pass the ball about.

"The playing surface will be lovely too, so it's important we go and pass the ball as well as we can."

Last season's top scorer Wes Fletcher is in line to start his first game since mid-February, following four substitute outings after his return from medial knee ligament damage.

But, while some managers often use the squad to rotate their squad, Worthington is not planning wholesale changes from the side that kicked off Saturday's 0-0 home draw with Wycombe.

To combat clubs fielding severely-weakened teams in the tournament, six players who started the previous league match must be included in any Johnstone's Paint Trophy first XI.

That still provides clubs with some leeway to rest players, but Worthington will not be exercising that right,

The City manager only has a squad of 19 available professionals, currently supplemented by 16-year-old striker Ben Hirst, anyway and, on his selection plans, pointed out: "It's highly unlikely we'll be making many changes.

"You have to consider the importance of continuity in the team and playing people who still need to get used to each other. The competition, its sponsors and the paying public also need to be treated with respect.

"The rules aren't really an issue for us either, so we will be going there with a team designed to get a result."

Worthington added that Michael Ingham would continue in goal for the Minstermen against the Tykes whilst, at the other end of the pitch, the Bootham Crescent boss is hoping his team can soon capitalise on a record that has seen them have more shots than all six of their league and cup opponents so far this term.

"It's all ifs, buts and maybes and just having another three points would see us in a very good position," he reasoned. "That's how tight it is.

"There's a lot to be said for five draws from five league games and, on a good day in those matches, we could have won all five, but those are the fine lines in football. There's not a great deal wrong and there have been so many good things during our start to the season.

"We just need to make a couple of tweaks to really kick us on and that's something we are working on."

With the transfer window for permanent signings having closed last night, Worthington stressed there could still be some activity at the club next week when loan moves are permitted again.

City's first-year pro Cameron Murray, who has not been named on the bench during the last four fixtures, is being lined up for first-team football elsewhere.

"Young Cameron is the only player I would like to get out for some football," Worthington explained. "I think going out somewhere would help him and us, so we will see what happens next week.

"As for the rest, we have a tight squad at the moment and a couple of injuries or suspensions would see the full squad come into play."