IN any list of York City legends, the likes of Keith Walwyn, Paul Aimson, Wayne Hall, Jack Pinder, Barry Jackson, Chris Topping and Andy McMillan demand mandatory inclusion.

However, the super seven also share one far less glorious Minstermen experience in common - they have all been part of City teams dumped out of the FA Cup by supposedly inferior non-League opposition.

Few professionals escape a giant-killing, even those who enjoy the most illustrious careers, which is why the Cup remains a magical competition and why City boss Billy McEwan is leaving nothing to chance as his side prepare for next week's fourth qualifying round trip to Newcastle Benfield (Bay Plastics).

The late, great Walwyn, widely-regarded as City's finest-ever player, fell victim to Cup shocks twice during his Bootham Crescent career.

He was part of City's 1986/87 side that crashed out 2-1 at home to Caernarfon in a second round replay having drawn 0-0 at the Welsh club three days earlier.

The prolific striker also played in the Minstermen's 4-3 second-round replay defeat at Altrincham after another 0-0 draw in 1981/82.

Wembley hero Hall was on the receiving end of a 1-0 1999/2000 defeat at Hereford United, the same margin that a City side featuring McMillan and current Newcastle Benfield coach Paddy Atkinson lost at Hednesford in 1996/97's third round.

Topping suffered FA Cup ignominy in a 1977/78 1-0 first-round loss at Wigan Athletic - the season before the Lancashire club joined the Football League and began their 27-year ascendancy into the Premiership.

All-time record appearance holder Jackson and the prolific Aimson endured a 3-1 first-round shock at South Shields in 1965/66, while pre-War stalwart Pinder was a member of the 1935/36 side that were humbled 5-1 at home to Burton Town.

In total, during their time as a Football League outfit, City won 36 of their 45 matches against non-League opposition, losing nine.

Anybody looking for happy omens need search no further than the last time the Minstermen faced Northern League opponents in the Cup.

Newcastle Blue Star were defeated 2-0 at home in November 1984, which proved the start of a glorious march to the fifth round, claiming Arsenal's scalp along the way and finally ending with a 7-0 defeat at Liverpool after holding the then European champions to a 1-1 draw at home.

CRAIG Farrell moved up to second place in the Press Player of the Year and Player of the Month standings after his two-goal blast at St Albans.

The former Exeter striker's brace was the only positive from the 4-2 defeat and he was our top man, pocketing three points towards both contests.

He also received the two Player of the Month bonus points on offer after attracting most man-of-the-match votes from our readers.

Nathan Peat and Clayton Donaldson picked up two points and one point respectively towards both competitions.

Press Player of the Year latest standings: Donaldson 17, Farrell 15, Craddock 9, Woolford 9, Bishop 7, Evans 6, Peat 6, Convery 5, Foster 5, McGurk 5, McMahon 4, Dudgeon 3, Panther 3, Parslow 2.

Press October Player of the Month standings: Foster 10, Farrell 8, Donaldson 4, Peat 4, Woolford 3, Convery 2, Craddock 1.

City stats

Goals: Donaldson 8, Farrell 3, Woolford 3, Convery 2, Peat 2, Bowey 1, Own goal 1. Assists: Donaldson 8, Convery 3, Bowey 2, Farrell 2, Bishop 1, Craddock 1, Panther 1, Peat 1, Woolford 1.

Bad boys: Craddock 1 red card, 4 yellow; Peat 4 yellow; Donaldson 3 yellow, Panther 3 yellow; Evans 1 red, 1 yellow, Bowey 1 red, 1 yellow; McMahon 2 yellow; Convery 1 yellow, Dudgeon 1 yellow, Farrell 1 yellow.