York City's tilt at American striker Carlos Rocha has bitten the dust.

The 24-year-old marksman, who figured for the Minstermen in a trial reserve game last week, has now linked up with a Portuguese First Division club.

City boss Neil Thompson said he wanted to have another look at Rocha, who arrived from Second Division Bury. But since then the offer from Portugal came up which Rocha accepted.

Even without Rocha City reserves battled back strongly to preserve their unbeaten Pontin's League Cup record last night.

Away to Hartlepool in a howling wind City trailed early in the second-half, but levelled with a header from Lee Bullock for a 1-1 draw.

City's side featured two new trialists. Ex-Carlisle and Northampton Town striker Paul Conway is just back from a spell in America, while winger Gavin Naylor, formerly of Manchester United, is currently with Bishop Auckland.

City today confirmed their November 13 Nationwide Division Three trip to Lincoln has been shifted from its original Saturday date to Friday, November 12, kick-off 7.45pm. to avoid a clash with the Scotland v England Euro 2000 play-off first leg.

City secretary Keith Usher explained that Lincoln initially mooted an 11.30am start on the Saturday, but it was agreed that the Friday night kick-off would be better all round.

City's Pontin's League match at home to Blackpool, meanwhile, has been moved forward 24 hours to Tuesday, November 16 (ko 7pm) to prevent a collision with the England v Scotland return at Wembley on Wednesday, November 17.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.