FORMER Rochdale midfielder Leo Bertos scored a goal as a trialist for York City reserves in last night's 4-0 victory at Grimsby Town.

Bertos grabbed the final goal in an impressive rout after Ryan Mallon (2) and Bryan Stewart had also netted.

Mallon could also have claimed a hat-trick but saw a penalty saved.

Teenage midfielder Byron Webster came off injured after a bad challenge while Mallon and Stewart were both withdrawn in the second half as a precautionary measure with Saturday's FA Cup first round home clash against Grays Athletic in mind.

About Bertos, McEwan said: "He did okay and he has been released by Chester. We are having a look at him and need to have a chat with him."

Bertos, 23, was born in New Zealand and began his career with Wellington.

He first played for Barnsley in England when Minstermen coach Colin Walker - a former New Zealand international - was youth-team coach at Oakwell.

The 6ft midfielder played 13 times for the Tykes before moving on to Rochdale, where he scored 14 goals in 89 appearances between 2003 and 2005.

He started this season without a club but, after a brief spell training with the Minstermen, joined Chester on a non-contract basis.

Bertos has played seven times for the Saunders Honda Stadium side but made a mistake in Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Shrewsbury and has been released.

City boss McEwan could now decide to make a move for Bertos with doubts still surrounding the fitness of influential midfielder Emmanuel Panther.

An ankle injury has sidelined Panther for City's last two matches and his return at the weekend looks unlikely with scans this week proving inconclusive.

Bertos could provide a more-experienced alternative to former Turkish youth international Lev Yalcin and Webster, who has suffered an injury-interrupted start to the season.

There are also no cup-tied complications with the Kiwi midfielder. Chester only enter the tournament this weekend.

Meanwhile, League Two strugglers Mansfield Town have appointed Peter Shirtliff as their new manager.

The former Sheffield Wednesday defender has been appointed after a spell as caretaker manager of the Stags, who are believed to have approached Billy McEwan last week concerning his availability for the position, leading the York City boss to outline his commitment to the KitKat Crescent club.

Scarborough have appointed Neil Redfearn, 40, as manager on a 12-month rolling contract as successor to the sacked Nicky Henry. Boro also hope to confirm former Barnsley player and coach Eric Winstanley as Redfearn's assistant today.

City's youth team travel to Dunston Federation Brewery tonight for their FA Youth Cup third qualifying round tie, kick-off 7.30pm.

Ian Kerr's men will be without midfielder Anthony Taylor (foot) and striker Chas Wrigley, who has sustained knee ligament damage.

City youth squad: Hilton, Thornton, Walsh, Hollingsworth, Sheperd, Holt, Phillips, Littlefair, Smith, Rhodes, Johnson, Beckett, Radcliffe, Oxer, Spence, Winspear.

Updated: 11:48 Wednesday, November 02, 2005