York City's forwards have more than just the goal to shoot for at Canvey Island tonight after manager Billy McEwan challenged them to make his mind up before contracts are decided next week.

The Minstermen last found the net 382 minutes ago when Andy Bishop scored a second in the 2-2 draw at Accrington Stanley which has left City on 35 goals - equalling the club's lowest ever tally.

And McEwan has called for his side to break that hiatus to secure two wins - and show him what they are made of.

He said: "If you're a forward and you're not in double figures you have to ask yourself why. They say it's the midfield who are not creating the chances, but if you're a forward you're paid to score goals -- that's your job.

"It's simple. Defenders destroy, midfielders create and forwards score.

"They can't say they have not had chances. We created a lot of chances on Saturday and at Hereford.

"I have got to make some decisions next week and they can finally make my mind up. This is their chance to show me what they can do."

Last season ended with just 35 in the goals-for column, a new City record low.

And, despite the drop to an easier level of football, the problem has shown no signs of abating with only Bishop hitting double figures on 11 goals and ex-loan defender Jon Maloney looking odds-on to finish the third highest scorer with four, behind centre-half Paul Groves on five.

Said McEwan: "Scoring is a problem and history says it has been a problem for quite some time. That's something we stepped into and I have had to try to change it if I can."

Conceded the City boss: "It is a problem. The way to solve it is to sign better players.

"In the short term, there's not much we can do because we can't train at the minute because the pitch is underwater."

Darren Dunning is a doubt for tonight after taking a knock on Saturday, while Lee Grant has been ruled out with a knee injury that requires a scan.

On the prospect of Canvey Island, McEwan said: "It's not very often we have played teams that are underneath us.

"It's another test for them and it's another situation for me to analyse these players in and see what their attitude is like. It's a big, big thing for me, attitude.

"We will see if they are just there for the trip and if that's the case, they will be off that pitch as fast as possible.

"I want players to be committed and go out there playing to win."

York City's reserve match against Halifax tomorrow night has been pushed back 24 hours to give the pitch -- and players -- the chance to recover. Kick off will now be at 7pm on Thursday at KitKat Crescent.

Tonight's squads

Nationwide Conference

Canvey Island v York City (at Park Lane)

Canvey Island (probable): Potter, Smith, Theobold, Sterling, Duffy, Sedgemore, McGhee, Berquez, Midgeley, Boylan, Gregory. Subs (from): MacDougald, Williamson, Noto, Hallett, Harrison, Keeling, Minton.

York City (possible): Stockdale, Merris, Davis, Groves, Law, Stewart, Dunning, Donovan, Yalcin, Bishop, Paul D Robinson. Subs: Porter, Armstrong, Smith, Webster, Paul Robinson, Davies, Jackson.

Referee: Dean Whitestone (Northampton).

Kick-off: 7.45pm.

Updated: 09:45 Tuesday, April 19, 2005