LIGHTNING does strike twice. Just ask York City's Hamza Bencherif.

For the second consecutive season, Bencherif has gone from the agony of relegation to the ecstasy of Wembley glory in the final two games.

The French-born defender was playing for FC Halifax Town when completing the 'double' last season but quit the West Yorkshire club rather than drop into National League North.

This time around, however, Bencherif is looking to stay and help his team secure an immediate return to the National League.

The 29-year-old, who has been playing on loan from Wrexham, says City should also draw inspiration from Halifax who have just won promotion via the play-offs.

"If you finish the season on a big disappointment - relegation in the last second of the last game - you take it into next year," he said. "But that it is not the case for us now. We are going into the new season with cheers and happiness and that's what you want at a football club.

"I hope that winning the FA Trophy gave Halifax confidence when they came back last season and, hopefully it will be there for us as well," he added. "We have to take that example from Halifax.

"The York fans have had a couple of seasons that have been hard to accept. The end of the season was very sad - especially the way it was in the last seconds of the last game - but it's always something to have positivity going into the summer.

"I would never have expected to have two similar seasons on the bounce but hopefully the outcome will be the same."

Out of contract this summer at Wrexham, Bencherif admits that he would welcome the opportunity to stay at Bootham Crescent.

He is a huge admirer of manager Gary Mills, who he also worked under at Wrexham, and has enjoyed his time back in Yorkshire.

"When my contract is up at Wrexham, hopefully I will get sorted quick," he said. "Until then, I can't really say what's happening.

"Gary Mills is someone who has put faith in me, someone who always tries to get the best out of his players, and who always defends his players. He always tries to squeeze every little ounce of positivity out of his players. He is great to work with and if I can keep working with him I will be very happy.

"York is a lovely place, we have a superb team, and great lads," he added. "If the opportunity comes, I would love to stay here."

Bencherif produced a moment of magic during City's Wembley victory when his goal-line headed clearance stopped Kingsley James giving Macclesfield a 3-2 lead.

However, he insists that he had forgotten all about his intervention by the final whistle.

"I didn't even think about it until the end of the game when everybody kept reminding me about it. I said 'what header are you talking about?' Things go so fast in a game.

"For a defender, a clearance like that is as a good as a goal. So I will take it (the plaudits)," he smiled. "As long as you win, that's all I can remember!"