LAST season's Evening Press Player of the Year Darren Dunning closed the gap on this season's front-runners Dave Merris and David Stockdale to a point after winning our man-of-the-match award during last weekend's disappointing 3-0 defeat at Northwich Victoria.

Dunning picked up three points while the efforts of new signing Paul Robinson (two) and left-back Sean Davies (one) were also rewarded.

Robinson also received an extra two points in the Preston and Duckworth Jewellers and Evening Press Player of the Month standings as our readers' man-of-the-match choice and has moved level with Kevin Donovan as the current joint leader.

Don't forget to e-mail dave.flett@ycp.co.uk with your man-of-the-match choice from any of City's December fixtures to stand a chance of presenting the award and winning a Tissot watch, worth £350, courtesy of Preston and Duckworth.

You can also drop your vote in at our 76-86 Walmgate offices.

Current Evening Press Player of the Year standings: Merris 16 points, Stockdale 16, Dunning 15, Bishop 11, Paul D Robinson 11, Pearson 10, McGurk 7, Stewart 6, Yalcin 6, Brass 5, Davies 4, Donovan 4, Grant 4, Groves 4, Davis 3, Nogan 3, Law 2, Paul Robinson 2, Arthur 1, Crichton 1, Staley 1.

Preston and Duckworth Jewellers and Evening Press Player of the Month for December: Donovan 4, Paul Robinson 4, Brass 3, Dunning 3, Davies 1, Grant 1.

Wednesday night's Supporters' Trust Christmas Dinner raised a total of £2,000.

All the money will go into Trust funds with the four auctioned items making £1,000, a raffle £500 and meal tickets £500.

Four seats on the first-team bus to an away match raised the highest combined bid of the night of £400, while a special edition Michael Owen Tissot watch went for £350 and a canvas picture of City's most recent successful moments provoked a few sarcastic sniggers as well as a final price of £200.

A pair of signed Dean Kiely goalkeeping gloves were also bought for £65.

Another excellent gesture by Independent journalist David Conn saw him donate £4 of every copy of his new book The Beautiful Game? Searching for the Soul of Football to the Trust during a Monday night visit to Bootham Crescent.

Conn, having agreed to sell the book at £10 instead of the £12 retail price, also gave a talk in the Social Club.

Copies of the book, containing a whole chapter on the Minstermen's recent plight, sold out but more are on order for the club shop and other York retail outlets will also soon have it on their shelves.

Finally, to answer a query from our reader Tamara Addison concerning the whereabouts of Richard Cooper.

The tenacious midfielder was expected to line up against Harrogate Town for Alfreton Town this afternoon in a top-of-the-table clash after recovering from an injury that has prevented him from finding a new club since leaving Bootham Crescent in the summer.

Five to come

YORK City will begin preparations for their Christmas clashes with North Yorkshire neighbours Scarborough after today's visit of Crawley Town.

The Minstermen travel to the McCain Stadium on Boxing Day and then play host to the Seadogs seven days later after a midweek home clash with Burton.

City's next five fixtures are: Sun, Dec 26 Scarborough (A); Wed, Dec 29: Burton Albion (H); Sun, January 2 Scarborough (H); Sat, Jan 8: Stevenage Borough (A); Sat, Jan 15: Burton Albion, FA Trophy third round (A).

Stats attack

GOALS: Andy Bishop 4, Darren Dunning 4, Paul Groves 3, Lee Nogan 2, Chris Brass 1, Kevin Donovan 1, Dave Merris 1, Paul Robinson 1, Lev Yalcin 1.

ASSISTS: Bryan Stewart 4, Lev Yalcin 4, Paul Robinson 3, Dave Merris 2, Chris Brass 1, Steve Davis 1, Darren Dunning 1, Lee Nogan 1, Gary Pearson 1.

BAD BOYS: Darren Dunning six yellow cards; Gary Pearson 1 red, 1 yellow; Chris Brass, Chris Clarke, Sean Davies and Dave Merris all two yellows; Chris Porter 1 red, 0 yellow; Steve Davis, Lee Grant, Paul Groves, Gerry Harrison, Michael Staley and David Stockdale all 1 yellow.

Updated: 10:15 Saturday, December 18, 2004