YORK City boss Billy McEwan has hailed a "great draw" following his side's pairing with Conference leaders Grays Athletic in the first round of the FA Cup.

Non-League football's top two teams will meet each other at KitKat Crescent on November 5 after the Minstermen won their fourth qualifying round tie at Gainsborough Trinity 4-0 on Saturday courtesy of goals from Andy Bishop (2), Clayton Donaldson and Mark Convery.

City will be out for revenge after letting victory slip at Grays during their 1-1 league meeting back in August when Mark Hotte conceded a stoppage-time penalty.

The Essex club are still unbeaten this season and McEwan said: "It's a great draw. We are at home against a team that are top of the table and they will bring some support with them.

"It's a mouthwatering prospect for the fans and I am sure they are looking forward to it as much as the players and myself. It's a very tough game but if we want to progress in the competition you have to beat the top teams and I don't think they will be looking forward to it. They will be expecting a tough game as well."

McEwan knows that the Minstermen's next two fixtures will provide a firm test of his team's early promotion credentials with an away trip to fourth-placed Accrington Stanley on the Saturday preceding the cup clash.

The City boss was in the crowd as Accrington drew 3-3 at League One outfit Rotherham before bowing out of the LDV Vans Trophy on penalties last week and was highly impressed by John Coleman's men, adding: "That will be our hardest game of the season. They were excellent against Rotherham and will give us a run for our money.

"We will have to be tuned in because they played Rotherham off the pitch and Mick Harford probably couldn't believe his luck when they went through on penalties because it was one-way traffic."

McEwan will hope to welcome back midfielder Emmanuel Panther for the Accrington trip after he missed the Gainsborough match because of an ankle problem.

Former Turkish youth international Lev Yalcin deputised and, about his performance, McEwan said: "He came in and did okay. He was feeling it in his legs though towards the end and that's why we brought him off."

The City manager also recalled left-back Nathan Peat in place of Dave Merris after seven weeks without a start following his calf problem.

McEwan said: "He was a bit rusty and we probably threw him in a bit early but he has got to get games under his belt because we have got some hard games coming up."

Harrogate Town, aided by City exile Chris Brass, were in dreamland after toppling Scarborough.

City match report, pictures, stats - Sports Press Pages IV and V; Harrogate Town topple Seadogs - Sports Press Page III

Updated: 13:29 Monday, October 24, 2005