UNBEATEN Conference leaders Grays Athletic will arrive at KitKat Crescent tomorrow aiming to extend an amazing record that has seen them lose just one match in their last 44 outings.

During that period, last season's Conference South champions and FA Trophy winners have only lost to Lewes - 3-2 in a meaningless April affair when their league title had been secured.

Before then, aside from a penalty Conference Cup exit to Stevenage, you have to trawl back to December 18, 2004, for the Essex club's last defeat - a 2-1 home reverse against Cambridge City.

Their last away defeat, aside from the Lewes match, came more than a year ago when Wealdstone won an FA Cup second qualifying round tie.

Grays have also scored an incredible 122 times during their last 44 fixtures, almost averaging three goals per game with that strike-rate not showing any signs of slowing despite their elevation to non-League football's highest echelon.

Their league tally of 39 is ten more than the Minstermen and any other side in the Conference table.

Mark Stimson's men have also matched the 15-game unbeaten start to a Conference season, set by Kettering in 1990.

Former Tottenham, Newcastle, Portsmouth, Southend and Leyton Orient midfielder Stimson, now 37, is developing a reputation as one of the game's finest young managers and Grays have coped admirably with last season's departure of star striker Freddie Eastwood to neighbours Southend.

The goals have been shared around since Eastwood's departure with two former Tottenham Hotspur trainees Jamie Slabber, 20, and Gary Hooper, 17, having found the net seven times apiece.

Stimson is expecting City to put his side's unbeaten run under severe pressure.

He said: "We drew with them 1-1 at home earlier this season and they were a very good side and, along with Woking, I would say they're the best team we've played this season.

"They lost last weekend so I am sure they will be keen to get back to winning ways and I expect a tough match, but if we play like we did against Southport last week, then we've a real chance."

Grays are likely to keep the same line-up that hammered Southport 4-1 last week to keep themselves clear at the top of the Conference, with no new injury problems and only former Sheffield United, Lincoln and Bury striker Tony Battersby on the treatment table with his ongoing groin problem.

Match points

FA Cup

First round

(at KitKat Crescent)

This is the first time the clubs have met in York.

It Happened On November 5

1955: Arthur Bottom scored twice along with Sid Storey in a 3-0 home win over Chester in front of 8,176. It was the first win in eight outings and City were 13th in Division Three North.

1960: In a first round FA Cup tie City and Bradford Park Avenue drew 0-0 at Bootham Crescent watched by 7,808. City won the replay 2-0.

1965: A 2-2 home draw against Oldham Athletic with Dennis Walker and Dave Dunmore on the score sheet. The crowd was 5,726 and the point lifted City out of the bottom four of Division Three (League One).

1983: Fourth Division leaders City won 3-0 at Crewe Alexandra with Keith Walwyn (2) and John Byrne the men on the mark.

1994: Huddersfield Town were beaten 3-0 at Bootham Crescent with Paul Baker, Glenn Naylor and Paul Barnes on target. The attendance was 6,345 and City were 15th in Division Two (League One).

Updated: 11:44 Friday, November 04, 2005