Exeter City could bring as much as four times their usual away-following for tomorrow's crucial six-pointer at Bootham Crescent.

Grecians' fans' chief Dave Bennett estimates around 400 fans will make the long-haul trip to York from Devon.

And in echoes of Euro 2000, when the Dutch national team played before stadiums awash with orange bedecked supporters, Exeter are threatening to turn Bootham Crescent into a sea of purple.

Bennett, chairman of Exeter City Supporters' Club, said: "From what I understand there will be a fair few travelling.

"There are a lot of fans like myself who do not travel to all that many away games but are coming to this.

"I would estimate there will be between 300 to 400 making the trip.

"We probably have up to 100 supporters who travel to away games regularly but because of the importance of this match a lot of others have decided to make the journey."

Bennett admits Saturday's game is verging on the 'make or break' - for both clubs.

"It is a massive game for us," he said.

"If we can get a win we will move off the foot of the table but any other result will keep us there.

"It is a big game for both clubs."

Rock-bottom Exeter are just one point adrift of City at the foot of the Division Three table and have played two games more than the Minstermen.

Significantly, however, the Grecians have remained unbeaten in their last three outings.

Their improved form has coincided with the arrival of former Tottenham defender and one-time Watford and Brentford boss Steve Perryman as coach to work alongside manager Noel Blake.

According to Bennett, the Grecians' upturn in fortunes has fostered a new united front between supporters and their favourites.

Updated: 13:21 Friday, February 16, 2001