YORK City went into this afternoon's home match with Gravesend and Northfleet knowing that another victory would leave them just one win short of a club record.

Tuesday night's 2-0 defeat of Dagenham represented a fifth straight league win for the Minstermen and necessitated another trawl through the history books.

At Dagenham, Billy McEwan's men became the first City team since Denis Smith's runaway 1983-84 Fourth Division champions to complete a nap-hand of successive victories.

And McEwan will be hoping that his team collect three points again today to close in on a record set by fellow Scotsman Tom Lockie.

Former Rangers and Minstermen defender Lockie guided his Fourth Division promotion-winning side to seven consecutive league triumphs in 1964.

Southport (1-0), Wrexham (2-1), Darlington (2-1), Crewe (3-2), Rochdale (2-1), Millwall (3-1) and Chesterfield (7-1) were all disposed of between October 31 and Boxing Day as Lockie masterminded the unparalleled run.

Remarkably, the sequence could have been even longer as the swinging sixties' team won 11 matches out of a possible 12 with only a 1-1 draw at Chesterfield on December 28 preventing a perfect dozen.

Seven players lined up in all seven straight victories. They were Paul Aimson, Gerry Baker, Tommy Heron, Barry Jackson, Andy Provan, Billy Rudd and Alan Woods.

Other City players who contributed to the run were Dennis Walker (six matches), Derek Weddle (six), Norman Wilkinson (five), Tony Moor (four), Joe Ashworth (three) and Tommy Forgan (three).

Should City have defeated Gravesend today, McEwan's side would have become only the fourth Minstermen team to enjoy six successive league wins.

The last time that feat was achieved was by Smith's players between March 6 and April 1 1984.

Lockie is the only City boss to have managed it twice, guiding his 1955-56 charges to six straight Division Three North successes when he had taken control of playing affairs on a caretaker basis.

That sequence ran from Novem-ber 5 to Christmas Eve in 1955 just nine months after Lockie had helped lead the Happy Wanderers to the FA Cup semi-finals.

Too much rubbish at KitKat Crescent

"WHAT a load of rubbish" has not been a refrain heard at KitKat Crescent this season but head groundsman Jez Milner might have muttered it on a few occasions having seen the litter left by fans following home games.

Last month's fixture with Forest Green saw ten supporters come forward to volunteer their clear-up services which allowed Jez to dedicate his time to the club's damaged pitch.

The club are hoping more fans will help in future and have also asked whether anybody would be willing to donate plastic bins and rubbish sacks.

To offer help, call club secretary Nick Bassett on 0870 777 1922 or e-mail nick.bassett@ycfc.net Fans can also meet Jez after games at the groundsman's hut near the Longhurst Stand exit.

Make a date for the play-offs

CITY'S recent form has propelled them back into the play-off zone.

Although players and staff are being asked by Billy McEwan to contribute 50p towards the Pitch in a Pound Appeal if the p-word is even whispered at the club, supporters might be interested in some dates revealed by the Conference this week - just in case.

The play-offs' first-leg games will be played on May 6 or 7, the first weekend after the end of the regular fixture programme.

Return legs have been scheduled for Thursday, May 11 and the final will take place on Saturday, May 20 or Sunday, May 21 although the venue is yet to be decided.

McGurk goes up front

ON-LOAN Darlington defender David McGurk has retained outright leadership in the Evening Press Player of the Year contest.

McGurk was our star man during Tuesday night's 2-0 victory at Dagenham and Redbridge to move him three points clear of nearest rival Darren Dunning.

Top scorer Andy Bishop (two points) and February Player of the Month Neil Bishop (one point) also saw their efforts recognised.

McGurk topped our fans' poll as man of the match, receiving an extra two bonus points towards the Player of the Month standings.

To be in with a chance of presenting a Player of the Month award, please send your man-of-the-match votes for any game by e-mail to dave.flett@ycp.co.uk within 48 hours of the final whistle.

Evening Press Player of the Year standings: McGurk 30, Dunning 27, A Bishop 26, Donaldson 22, Convery 20, Merris 16, O'Neill 10, Andrews 9, N Bishop 7, Dudgeon 7, Hotte 6, Craddock 5, Peat 5, Price 5, Barwick 3, N'Toya 3, Panther 3, Thomas 3, Horwood 2, Porter 2.

Evening Press Player of the Month for March standings (based on Evening Press ratings and including two points per game for the player who polls most man-of-the-match votes from our readers): McGurk 5, A Bishop 2, N Bishop 1.

STATS ATTACK

Goals: A Bishop 21, Donaldson 13, Convery 6, Dudgeon 5, O'Neill 5, McGurk 2, Stewart 2, N Bishop 1, Own Goal 1, Thomas 1.

Goal assists: Donaldson 14, Dunning 11, Convery 10, A Bishop 9, O'Neill 2, Panther 2, Andrews 1, Dudgeon 1, N Bishop 1, Mansaram 1, McGurk 1, Merris 1, Peat 1, Porter 1, Stewart 1.

Bad boys: A Bishop, Donaldson, Dudgeon all five yellows; Hotte one red, three yellows; Convery, Dunning both four yellows; Panther, Peat Price all three yellows; Horwood, O'Neill, both two yellows; Andrews, Barwick, Craddock, Mansaram, McGurk, Merris, Palmer, Porter, Thomas all one yellow.