GATESHEAD will be aiming to end the worst current run in professional rugby league when they visit Huntington Stadium on Sunday.

Thunder have gone 23 matches - and exactly 11 months - without a win, gleaning only one point in that time. They lost their last ten National League Two matches last season plus four Arriva Trains League Cup matches and one Powergen Challenge Cup tie this season before drawing 24-24 at home to Workington Town in the ATC.

They have since lost their last seven matches.

Gateshead's last victory was 50-20 against London Skolars in a home match played at Monkton Stadium, Jarrow, on June 22 last year.

However, the Knights will be wary of underestimating Seamus McCallion's men - as the corresponding fixture last season saw the visitors shock Paul Broadbent's York side 29-12 at Huntington Stadium.

The Knights comprehensively avenged that loss with a 64-8 win in the return fixture and have since scored 50-plus points against the Thunder in both the Arriva Trains Cup matches between the teams this season.

Their favourites' status is further boosted by the Tynesiders' injury doubts. Dave Guthrie, Nick Grundy, Will Massey and Mark Walker all face checks, though McCallion, who also lost York-based second-row Carl Stannard to Doncaster Dragons last month, is hopeful experienced half-back Craig Fisher and centre Craig Firth will both be fit.

"We have run into another injury crisis, but we will have to get on with things," he said.

Updated: 10:16 Saturday, May 22, 2004