JOHN ASKEY has called for York City to "use the hurt" suffered in the Buildbase FA Trophy semi-final defeat when they face Kettering Town tomorrow (7.45pm).

York were just 45 minutes away from Wembley Stadium when leading 1-0 at Bromley but three second-half goals from the Vanarama National League club put them into next month's final.

For City, the attention is now firmly placed on joining Bromley in non-league's top-flight next season as they seek promotion through the Vanarama National League North play-offs.

“On the coach home, it was very sombre," said manager Askey of the weekend's defeat. "But in training, we’ve been looking to use that to spur us on now because we know exactly what the most important thing is and that’s the league.

“The dressing room wasn’t as buoyant as it’s been in previous weeks but hopefully the players are still hurting and they can use that hurt to go and get a result at Kettering.”

Kettering are noted as a particularly direct side in the North division, with their Latimer Park home ground not ideally suited for a free-flowing game of football. Askey insisted that his side must first win the battle in order to then their quality in front of goal.

“If you’re not prepared to do that, you’re going to come unstuck," he said. "You have got to match these teams because sometimes it’s the pitches and the elements that are the big leveller.

“Players at this level should know that anyway. We’ve got to compete and with the ability that we’ve got in the team, we’ve got a great chance of winning.

“Kettering are another team that go from back to front and compete really well. We’ve got to be able to match them as well as play our own game as well.”

Askey confirmed that winger Maziar Kouhyar, signed from Hereford last month, was in line for a York debut after returning from international duty with Afghanistan.

Lenell John-Lewis and Jack McKay could return after being cup-tied at Bromley while Michael Woods is a doubt through illness.