Up close and personal will be York City's approach to try to rub shoulders with the Premiership big boys.

And Eire Under-21 international Barry Conlon could be the man to fire that bold goal in tonight's Worthington Cup reprise at Second Division Wigan.

City go into the second leg first round tie at the Latics' new JJB Stadium unluckily 1-0 down from the first meeting a fortnight ago.

But manager Neil Thompson insisted the deficit could be overhauled to increase the chances of his Minstermen producing a shock to bag a second round plum.

Still smarting from the 3-0 defeat by Rochdale that undermined an otherwise solid start to the season, Thompson said his players were resolved to quickly erasing that performance from their system.

Aware that City were struggling for goals and how Wigan were higher-grade opposition than 'Dale, Thompson was bullish about the trip to the new all-seater home of the pace-setters.

The City leader was also confident Conlon's goal blank would soon end.

Tonight's trip, plus Saturday's trek to Barnet, are the last two games for Conlon in City's colours before he jets off for a trio of Eire Under-21 fixtures to qualify for the European Championship.

He will be away on international duty for ten days during which he misses the Bank Holiday Monday visit of Northampton to Bootham Crescent and the September 4 trip to Rotherham.

Said Thompson: "That's great recognition for the lad and it's all credit to him.

"Before he goes away we hope he can take the chances he deserves.

"Baz is getting anxious, but he is under no pressure from me.

"I have got faith in his ability and his workrate has been terrific. I've told him to be relaxed in front of goal and not to be affected by it. The breaks will come, there's no doubt about that."

Changes are likely in City's starting line-up, though Thompson would not identify where.

But he was pleased by the vigour provided by both Martin Garratt and Scott Jordan as late substitutions against Rochdale. Both could make their first starts of the season.

"We've looked at the video of the Rochdale match and we had several good early chances to make a good start," said the City manager. "After that we gave them far too much time on the ball and let them dictate play.

"Tonight we've got to get personal with people. We have to close them down like we did in the first leg and if we can get an early goal then who knows."

Wigan warmed up for tonight's second leg with a fluky victory over visitors Bristol City on Saturday to maintain the Latics' undefeated start.

Livewire marksman Stuart Barlow put the hosts in front early in the exchange, but the Robins commanded the rest of the game and looked to have secured a point after a penalty from Tony Thorpe.

But in a goal-mouth scramble ex-Coventry City man Simon Haworth bagged a winner, his fourth goal of the season. Haworth was the marksman in the first meeting between City and Wigan a fortnight ago.

Wigan have one slight doubt for the return.

Former Northern Ireland midfielder Michael O'Neill has a foot injury and is rated 60-40 against playing. Andy Porter stands by to replace him.

Millwall and Swansea players will pay attention to the linesmen in their Worthington Cup first round second leg game at the New Den where a 'Conn Merchant' combination will be running the line tonight. Tony Conn and Kevin Merchant will assist referee Andy Hall - Swansea won the first leg 2-0.

Match Pointers

City's two previous cup visits to Wigan, both in the FA Cup, ended in defeat . In 1977-8 they lost a first round tie 1-0 to the then non-league Wigan and in 1997-8 went down 2-1 in a second round pairing with Rodney Rowe scoring the consolation goal.

In the League they have made ten League trips, winning two and drawing three times.

Only twice before have City overcome a first leg deficit to progress in the competition. In 1975-6 they beat Bradford City 3-2 on aggregate after going down 2-0 in the first game and in 1995-6 they knocked out Rochdale 6-3 on aggregate after losing 2-1 at Spotland.

City's rewards for these two overall successes were pairings against Liverpool 24 years ago and Manchester United.

Tonight's Teams Worthington Cup

1st round, 2nd leg

At JJB Sports Stadium

Wigan: Carroll, Green, Balmer, McGibbon, Bowen, Kilford, O'Neill, Sheridan, Liddell, Haworth, Barlow, Porter, Jones, Stillie, McLaughlin, Lee.

York City: Howarth, Hocking, Hall, Atkins, Jones, Fairclough, Dawson, Dixon, Conlon, J Williams, Bullock, Fox, Mimms, Jordan, Rowe, Garratt, M Williams.

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