THE heat is on York City goalkeeper Alan Fettis as he prepares for his first senior outing of the season tonight at Bury.

The Northern Ireland international can do no wrong in most City fans' eyes after being the Minstermen's most consistent performer of the last two seasons.

However, speaking to the Evening Press, Fettis admitted returning to the side when City are riding high at the top of Division Three could see him become the fall guy should things go awry at Gigg Lane.

"There is a bit of pressure. If we start losing games and I am the main change in the team then people might start pointing the finger," he confessed.

"But I'm confident in my own ability and in what I've done over the last couple of years. I'm sure the fans will understand that.

"To be honest, I can't think about what's gone and you can't start worrying about what might be.

"We have to believe that we will carry on the way we are playing and scoring the goals which we are scoring."

In any case, Fettis is relishing the prospect of playing in a successful side after spending large chunks of the last two seasons at the wrong end of the table.

"We are more organised, more positive and more confident," he enthused.

"We haven't been scoring a lot and we have been conceding over the last couple of years and after a while it almost becomes expected.

"Now, because we are winning if we go behind we are confident we can equalise and also go on to win it.

"The fact we are scoring a lot of goals is important, not least because it can take the pressure off the defence."

The 31-year-old's return to the side follows yesterday's shock decision - as revealed in the Evening Press - by Marlon Beresford to spurn City's offer of a contract in favour of signing a one-month deal with Burnley.

Beresford had initially been brought to the club by manager Terry Dolan as cover for Fettis, who had broken his finger in pre-season and was ruled out of City's first three games of the campaign.

Since his return to full fitness, Fettis has had to be content with a place on the bench as Beresford retained the number one spot. And while the City favourite understood the reasons for not changing a winning side he admitted it had not been ideal.

"Marlon came in to do a job and had done very well, you couldn't fault him," said Fettis. "The lads have played really well and it is always hard to change a winning team.

"But I wouldn't have been happy if it had meant a long time on the bench - if I had played and Marlon had been here then I'm sure he would have felt the same way.

"It would have been difficult situation. I'm too long in the tooth to be second choice, I've been through all that and I don't particularly want to go through it all again.

"I'm happy playing for the club and I am enjoying my time and do my best is all I want to do.

"I just want to play football and so obviously I'm glad to be back in the team."

Bury v City - Match Points

In 12 league visits to Gigg Lane City have managed two wins and one draw.

Their two successes were 3-1 in 1983/84 when John Byrne (2) and Keith Walwyn were on target and 1-0 in 1987/88 when Tony Clegg was the marksman.

City's heaviest defeats on this ground were 4-1 on their first visit in January 1958 and by the same scoreline on their last trip in November 1996.

The line up that day was Clarke McMillan Hall (Pouton), Pepper (Randall), Tutill, Barras, Murty, Bushell, Stephenson, Bull, Himsworth. Gary Himsworth netted the consolation goal.

Players to have represented both clubs include Paul Aimson, Billy Rudd, George Hamstead, Alan Whitehead, Craig Madden, Paul Atkin, Dean Kiely, Rob Matthews and Shaun Reid.

Updated: 12:29 Friday, September 06, 2002