WINGER Craig Skinner aims to be the answer to York City's relegation-fighting prayers.

Skinner, York City's deadline-day signing from Wrexham for £30,000, has been detailed with providing the crosses for the new strikeforce of Neil Tolson and Marc Williams at Lincoln City tomorrow.

York City new signings Craig Skinner (left) and Matthew Hocking

The front-two have to prove caretaker-manager Neil Thompson's insistence that City will be able to shake off the loss of top scorer Richard Cresswell, who moved to Sheffield Wednesday in a £1 million-plus deal 48 hours ago.

Manchester-born Skinner is in for his a debut and is determined to provide the ammunition for the Tolson-Williams axis as the tension increases in City's ten-game run-in to the season.

Said Skinner after singing a three-year contract: "My job is to supply the forwards with crosses and I am looking forward to that challenge.

"I know these are ten games of pressure to come, but it's something I would like to be involved in.

"Let's just say it's better to be involved in ten relegation battles than to be stuck in the reserves for the rest of the season with nothing at stake.

"This is an opportunity for me to start playing again and I want to impress."

Skinner is in his tenth season as a professional after first linking up with Blackburn Rovers. He figured in 16 League games at the Ewood Park club before going south to sign for Peter Shilton, then manager of Plymouth Argyle in the summer of 1992.

After three years in Devon and close on 100 games he moved to Wrexham for £50,000 four seasons ago. But his career stalled this season after suffering a double hernia.

Now 'flying again' he is eager to kick-start his career, a lively approach that manager Thompson said has characterised training since the influx of four new players in his 11 days' reign.

Thompson was adamant City's rescue mission would get under way at Sincil Bank tomorrow, despite Lincoln City's impressive home record of eight games unbeaten.

"The ten games will come thick and fast, but that will help us I am sure. There's an undoubted quality and ability in this squad. It's just harnessing it so that we are all that bit more professional and self-disciplined," said Thompson.

"Provided we are solid and keep our shape we have the flair to open Lincoln up."

City's other deadline day arrival, loan defender Matthew Hocking, will vie for one of the substitutes' places.

Lincoln are expected to include their two late captures - veteran David Phillips, signed from Huddersfield Town, and fellow battling midfielder Chris Wilder on loan from Sheffield United.

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