Injury-blighted York City were struck a fresh blow that deprives them of all their natural wingers, writes Tony Kelly.

Paul Stephenson's knee injury, which flared at Preston, will rule him out for at least a fortnight. And just to add insult the Geordie flier will miss the visit of Blackpool a week on Saturday because of a one-match ban for totting up five cautions.

With Graeme Murty out for the rest of the season after having an hernia operation yesterday and Gary Himsworth already sidelined, City manager Alan Little will agonise over who plays wide for the Minstermen in Saturday's tussle with Fulham at Bootham Crescent.

He also has to look to central defence, where Tony Barras will be missing after being ordered on a fortnight's rest from his groin strain.

Several City fringe players will be looking to push their claims in City reserves' trip to Wrexham in the Pontin's League tonight, among them centre-back Martin Reed, midfielder Scott Jordan and striker Gary Bull.

Wrexham's Racecourse Ground is now buzzing with anticipation after the Robins nudged into the final play-off position last night with a 1-0 win over Millwall to leap-frog City's next opponents Fulham.

The Welsh club, who City visit on Easter Monday, rose two places to fifth. The four play-off spots are now occupied by Grimsby, Northampton, Wrexham and Fulham.

Of that quartet Grimsby are chasing a double dream. They reached Wembley last night when they beat hosts Burnley in the northern final of the Auto Windscreens Shield 2-0 for an overall 3-1 aggregate win.

The Mariners now meet Bournemouth at Wembley on Sunday, April 19. Bournemouth lost 3-2 at home to Walsall in the southern area final, but went through 4-3 on aggregate.

What a dismal night for Burnley. Not only did they lose out on a cherished place at Wembley - Turf Moor resounding to the cries of 'Waddle out' for player-manager Chris Waddle - the Clarets also slumped to the bottom of Division Two courtesy of Southend United's unexpected 3-1 win at Wigan.

There was a change too at the healthier end of the table. Wobbling Watford returned to the top with their 2-1 win over lowly Carlisle United to lead Bristol City by three points after having played a game more.

City reserves: Warrington, Dawson, Reed, Rennison, Atkinson, Alderson, Jordan, Abblett, Garratt, Tolson, Bull. Subs: Douglass, Foreman, Dale.

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