RICHARD Pacquette is hoping to end a diffciult season at York City by becoming a play-off hero.

The 27-year-old striker has only made two league starts in 2009/10 with Richard Brodie, Michael Rankine and Michael Gash normally ahead of him in the pecking order for forward places.

But Pacquette has been named as a substitute during City’s last three games and been called into action from the bench during two of those matches.

Having also scored important goals for the Minstermen against Crewe and Newport County in the FA Cup and FA Trophy, not to mention once firing former club Havant and Waterlooville in front at Anfield against Liverpool, Pacquette believes he can rise to the challenge as City prepare for their play-off semi-final first leg home meeting with Luton Town tonight.

He said: “I’ve enjoyed it here even though it’s been a bit difficult for me. I started the season suspended, then I got injured and, during that time, the team did well in my absence.

“I’ve played a bit part really but all the boys are great and I still believe I can have a role in the promotion push. I prepare the same for every game as if I am going to be playing so, hopefully, if I get a chance I will take it.

“I do thrive on the big occasion and enjoy playing in the big games. Every time I step on to a pitch I feel like I’m going to score. That’s my mentality and it doesn’t change if I’m on the bench.”

Pacquette played for QPR in the 2003 League One final at the age of 20, finishing on the losing side against Cardiff City at the Millenium Stadium.

Victory over two legs against Luton, therefore, would present Pacquette with the opportunity of playing at British football’s top two national stadiums.

“The final with QPR was a great experience and we thought we should have won,” Pacquette recalled. “Wembley would be another one to add to my CV and, if we get there, I think we would win the final.

“Hopefully, we can get a lead from the first leg against Luton, then they would have to come at us at their place and we could nick something there.”

Playing under the arch would also almost represent a home-from-home for Paddington-born Pacquette.

He added: “I’ve been to Wembley three times and once as a baby when my dad, who actually played for Wembley, played there in a non-League cup final. If we get there, there will be a lot of my family and friends there.” Pacquette still has a burning ambition to return to the Football League and would love to get that opportunity at Bootham Crescent.

He said: “When I first came here, I said to the gaffer I wanted to get back in the Football League. I’ve been out of it now for four years and I’ve worked hard to get back to where I am now so it would be a big plus to go up.

“I was working at schools a couple of years ago making sure children got to lessons and doing some coaching. But, last season, I decided I wanted to get back to full-time football. I trained on my own and had a good season at Maidenhead and that got me my move here, so it paid off.”