YORK City will travel to Stevenage Borough today hoping to become the first visiting side to win at Broadhall Way since mid-November.

Play-off chasing Borough have won seven and drawn two of their last nine home matches, taking an impressive 23 points from a possible 27.

City's Yorkshire neighbours Halifax were the last side to leave Stevenage with a victory and only fellow top-five contenders Cambridge United have emulated that feat in league or cup fixtures, winning 2-1 back in September.

Stevenage have also scored more home goals than any other Blue Square Premier side - their tally of 42 in 19 games resulting in an average of more than two a game.

Only Aldershot (75) can beat Stevenage's overall league tally of 72 with 24-year-old former Northampton striker Steve Morison leading the way on 20 goals.

Morison has scored in each of Stevenage's last three home matches and will be looking to make that four tonight, although fellow strikers Tes Bramble, brother of Wigan defender Titus, and Oliver Allen, son of former Spurs forward Clive, will both be sidelined by injury.

Luke Oliver and Sammy Moore could return, however, after being sidelined by injury and illness respectively.

City boss Colin Walker will also be pitting his wits against a former England manager when he takes his place in the dugout at Broadhall Way.

Peter Taylor is best known for handing David Beckham the Three Lions' captaincy as he bridged the managerial gap between Kevin Keegan's departure and Sven Goran-Eriksson's appointment.

But, following his sacking as Crystal Palace boss, Taylor took charge at Stevenage in November 2007, succeeding Mark Stimson, who moved on to Gillingham.

Despite the team's impressive home form, results have been mixed under Taylor with ten wins matched by as many defeats during his 24-game reign.


Match facts: Stevenage v City

* City are unbeaten in their three previous visits to Broadhall Way.

In 2004-05 they drew 2-2 with Jon Maloney and Byron Webster on the scoresheet and the following season Clayton Donaldson was the marksman in a 1-1 scoreline.

* City won the corresponding game last term 2-1 with Donaldson and Steve Bowey on target. The line-up on August 15, 2006 was: Evans, Craddock, Dudgeon, McGurk, Peat (Lloyd), Convery, Panther, Bishop (Greenwood), Bowey, Farrell (Webster), Donaldson.

* Players who have appeared for both clubs include Jason Goodliffe and Darryn Stamp.

It happened on April 1

1950: Alf Patrick scored in a 1-1 draw at top of the table Doncaster Rovers. The attendance at Belle Vue was 15,866 and City were third from bottom of Division Three North.

1984: Fourth Division leaders City won 2-0 at Peterborough United thanks to goals from John MacPhail and John Byrne.

1989: A 1-0 win at Rotherham United who, managed by Billy McEwan, topped Division Four. Tony Canham, right, was the marksman and City were in mid-table.

2002: Graham Potter scored in a 1-0 home win over Oxford United. The crowd was 3,290 and City were in the bottom half of Division Three (League Two).

Stats: David Batters