KEVIN Donovan will return to his home-town club Halifax Town with York City tonight expecting to face the Conference's "best footballing side".

The 33-year-old midfielder, who was born in Halifax and grew up in nearby Brighouse, scored an excellent individual goal against his former club earlier this season to earn City a late point.

But Donovan, who played six games for the Shaymen in the 1991-92 season, believes the Minstermen were slightly fortunate in that December clash and expects another tough test against a team who have since risen to third in the Conference table.

He said: "I think they have been the best footballing side we have played this season. We did not play well that night but managed to get a much-needed, late point."

Donovan admitted that his 85th-minute goal of the season contender was one of the best in his 16-year career but added that he will be unconcerned who is on the scoresheet tonight as long as the Minstermen get the right result.

He said: "It was obviously a good goal and an important one. It was definitely my best for a few years and probably my best solo goal.

"It would be nice to get another one against them but I'm not that bothered as long as we get a result."

Donovan joined Halifax at the age of 19 on loan from Huddersfield, where he had progressed through the youth ranks.

"It was in the old Third Division and I went there just to get some experience because I was only a kid and was being kept out of the side at Huddersfield by two experienced players," he recalled.

The former Terrier is likely to continue tonight in the central midfield role that manager Billy McEwan has employed him in during the last four matches.

Largely known as a wide man during his career, Donovan actually played in the middle of the park for a spell at West Brom albeit in an advanced role behind strikers Bob Taylor and Andy Hunt.

But he is currently enjoying another spell in a more central position.

He said: "I've enjoyed it as I've been getting more involved. Sometimes on the wing the game can pass you by without you being able to do much about it but in the middle you are always involved.

"I've also got two willing young lads in Bryon Webster and Darren Dunning to do my running which helps."

Donovan was injured during City's previous televised clash against Morecambe in October and watched the 2-1 defeat at home.

But the experienced midfielder will be bidding for a hat-trick tonight, having won play-off finals, screened by Sky, while at West Brom and Grimsby.

Monday's squads:

Halifax v City, Nationwide Conference (at The Shay)

Halifax (probable): Salibury, Quinn, Haslam, Howell, Young, Foster, Bushell, Ingram, Mansaram, Midgley, Sugden. Subs from: Parry, Stoneman, Monington, Blunt, Ross, Killeen.

City (probable): Porter, Maloney, Groves, Grant, Law, Webster, Donovan, Dunning, Merris, Paul D Robinson, Jackson. Subs: Stockdale, Smith, Paul Robinson, Yalcin, Davies.

Referee: Colin Harwood (Greater Manchester).

Kick-off: 7.45pm

Match points:

CITY have made 46 Football League visits to The Shay and can boast a good record of 15 wins and 15 draws.

Their biggest victory was 4-0 in 1968/69 when Ted MacDougall, Graham Carr, John Coleman and Phil Boyer were the scorers.

City are unbeaten in their last five League trips to The Shay.

In 1992/93 Paul Barnes netted the only goal of the game and on the next visit in 1999/2000 Barry Conlon and Marc Williams were the scorers in a 2-0 victory. The following season City won 3-1 with Mark Sertori, Lee Bullock and David McNiven on the scoresheet.

The last League visit to the Shay was on February 12, 2002. The game ended 1-1 with Graham Mitchell putting through his own goal to earn City a point. Halifax were managed by former City boss Alan Little.

Over the years many players have appeared for both clubs and these include Mick Granger, Walter Bingley, Steve Spooner, David Pugh, Archie Taylor, Barrie Tait, Mark Sertori, Kevin Hulme, Marc Williams, Rodney Rowe, Michael Proctor, Chris Clarke and Steve Bushell.

It Happened on March 14

1956: Sam Bartram's first match as manager of the club ended in a 2-1 defeat away to Bradford Park Avenue. New signing Albert Hobson from Blackpool scored.

1959: A 2-0 win at Exeter with Charlie Twissell and Barrie Tait on the mark.

1980: Barry Wellings and Ian McDonald scored in a 2-0 victory at Rochdale. It was City's first away success since mid September.

1981: A sequence of six defeats ended with a 1-0 home victory over Lincoln City. David Pugh was the match winner in this Fourth Division fixture, but City remained in the bottom four.

1987: City beat Brentford 2-1 at home with goals from Keith Walwyn and Marco Gabbiadini.

Updated: 09:53 Monday, March 14, 2005