YORK City old boy Steve Davis insists Crewe Alexandra should not be intimidated by a partisan home crowd at Bootham Crescent on Saturday.

Davis, who spent a month on loan with City in 1997, is now Dario Gradi’s assistant at Gresty Road and the pair are hoping to plot a passage past the Minstermen into Sunday’s FA Cup second round draw.

City’s supporters are expected to create a rousing atmosphere as their side faces Football League opposition for the first time in three years but Davis is more concerned about the quality of groundsman Mark Hurst’s pitch.

The former Burnley, Barnsley and Oxford centre-back said: “Bootham Crescent’s an old-style ground similar to Hereford and places like that, where the stands were built a long time ago and the stadium is in a small area.

“The crowd are fairly close to the pitch but the main thing is they play on a decent surface and we can look to pass the ball on it.

“What’s around the pitch is irrelevant, it’s all about what you do on it.”

With City among the early Blue Square Premier play-off contenders and Crewe having lost six of their last eight League Two matches, Saturday’s tie looks ripe for an upset but Davis pointed out that the Railwaymen will not be under-estimating their hosts. He added: “York are in a healthy position and have started the season well. We don’t think it will be easy and are approaching the game like any other in League Two.

“We want to get through and make some money, the same as York.

“We thought it was a tough draw when it came out but that doesn’t mean we don’t remain confident of going through.”

Davis made three appearances for City under Alan Little a dozen years ago but saw his stay curtailed by the recurrence of a broken leg.

He did manage to get on the scoresheet, however, in a 3-1 victory over former club Burnley and enjoyed his brief stay.

He recalled: “I came here to get some games after I broke my leg at Barnsley but I fractured it again in training, blocking a shot. I only played three games, although I still remember my diving header against Burnley.

“York’s always been a good family club. We had a decent side at the time as well and, other than the injury, I have nothing but fond memories.”

Davis revealed he and Gradi have not yet decided whether fellow City old boy Clayton Donaldson will start at the weekend but added the 25-year-old striker is no lesser force after his recent fractured fibula.

“He looks sharp and hasn’t lost any of his pace and may start up front with Calvin Zola,” Davis told The Press.

“We haven’t decided yet though and Shaun Miller did well up there in the last match so, unless he has any problems, he will probably retain his place.”