LATE starter Richard Pacquette is aiming to gatecrash York City’s first choice line-up.

The 26-year-old frontman is pushing for a starting role at Gateshead tonight (7.45pm) after opening his Minstermen account as a substitute at Hayes & Yeading United on Saturday.

Suspension kept summer signing Pacquette out of the equation for the opening three games, but he made up for lost time with a goal six minutes into his City career in the 1-1 draw at Church Road.

The well-travelled striker said: “Hopefully I will be pushing for a start. I will keep knocking on the door.

“We’ve got four good strikers here – every one is quality, so when you get a chance in the team you’ve got to take it.”

He added: “I was suspended for three games because I was sent off in the last game of the season for Maidenhead.

“But I’ve been working hard in training, keeping on top of my fitness and waiting. The boys up front have been doing well, so I had to wait but I took my chance.”

Manager Martin Foyle’s first choice partnership is currently £55,000 signing Michael Gash and £10,000 Michael Rankine, with last season’s top scorer Richard Brodie close behind.

However, Pacquette’s timely headed leveller against Hayes, from Adam Smith’s cross, has given the City boss something to think about ahead of the trip to the International Stadium.

Said Pacquette: “I got one against Hayes last year and I fancied myself to get one on Saturday. I only live about 20 minutes from the Hayes ground, so I had a lot of friends and family there.

“Adam did really well – it was a great ball by him. I was surprised I was unmarked. I looked at the linesman just in case.

“We needed that point and hopefully we can kick on now. There are signs we are getting it together as a team.”