BIG game hunter Lee Bullock is relishing a career 'first' as York City prepare to welcome leaders Rushden and Diamonds to Bootham Crescent tomorrow.

Bullock is now in his fourth season as a first team regular and made his 100th League appearance for City at Swansea last month.

But in all that time Bullock admits he has yet to encounter a genuine top of the table clash like that which awaits tomorrow.

"I can't wait," he told the Evening Press. "It's probably the biggest game of the season so far and could prove to be one of the biggest games of the season.

"It's a different kind of pressure to what we've been used to over the years but it is a nice kind of pressure and these are the sort of games we want every week.

"These games are the reason you play football."

Victory could see City claim top spot in Division Three for the first time since December 1992.

Bullock admitted: "We are really up for this - we're near the top and we have to stay there or thereabouts.

"It's all about confidence and if we can make teams scared of coming to Bootham Crescent then that gives us a massive advantage."

City's current home record - they have lost just once in the League in 2002 and are now unbeaten in eight successive home games - means Bootham Crescent is on track to becoming an imposing fortress.

But unbeaten records aside, Bullock admits the home support also have a vital role to play in aiding City's cause and at the same time undermining the opposition.

"The chairman has said he wants 8,000 fans through the gate and if they can make the same sort of noise as those that went to Sheffield and Bury then they can make a massive difference," he said.

"The support so far this season, both home and away, has been tremendous.

"We have always said if we can produce the football and results to make this team successful then this city is big enough to get big crowds coming back.

"We have to be aiming to play in the Second Division and get the fans returning."

Bullock reckons City have a few scores to settle with Rushden and Diamonds, who kicked off life in the Football League last season with a 1-0 win at Bootham Crescent.

"They beat us on the opening day last season but we didn't start playing until the second half," recalled Bullock.

"At their place, we conceded an early goal then had a player sent off just a few minutes into the second half.

"In many ways, they were both false games for us but we hope to put the record straight."

Meanwhile, Bullock, who bagged nine goals from midfield last season, admits his engine-room partnership with Stephen Brackstone is showing plenty of promise.

"You can see the quality he possesses when he gets time on the ball - that's why he was at Middlesbrough," enthused Bullock.

"He is willing to sit in and pass all day if he has to and that lets me bomb on. It's working well."

Updated: 11:52 Friday, September 13, 2002