York City forgotten man Paul D Robinson will be given another chance to prove his worth to the club by new manager Billy McEwan.

Robinson started his first match since October during Saturday's 1-1 draw at Forest Green Rovers and McEwan has told the former Newcastle striker that he will begin with a clean slate under his management.

The 26-year-old forward failed to even make the substitutes' bench in Viv Busby's last two matches as caretaker manager and his KitKat Crescent career appeared to be drifting with Lee Nogan and namesake Paul Robinson edging ahead of him in the pecking order for a starting place.

But with Nogan having left the club, Robinson could be given a run in his favoured striking role by McEwan.

McEwan said: "I looked at the strikers available and, with Paul Robinson, I am just judging the lad from what I have seen. I have got to give him a chance.

"He's a striker who hasn't played for a long time and he tired a bit in the second half and that was the reason for the substitution but, up to then, I think he did quite well."

With Chris Porter, Chris Brass, Darren Dunning, Steve Davis and Andy Bishop the only senior players contracted beyond the end of this season, McEwan has also called on his charges to earn themselves new deals, adding: "What's been has gone. They have got between now and the end of the season to impress me.

"I'm assessing them and we will be making decisions after that. If they want to stay at York City, the ball is in their court because there will be hundreds of players out of contract and looking for jobs this summer."

McEwan admitted that he was puzzled by referee Roger East's decision to give Forest Green the penalty that led to the home side's equaliser after Andy Bishop had netted his tenth goal of the season.

McEwan said: "I was baffled when he pointed to the spot and I think it was unjust but that's football. Some decisions go for you, some don't."

But McEwan praised his side for their determination either side of Forest Green's goal and for putting aside last week's distractions off the pitch.

He said: "The players worked ever so hard, showed a good attitude and were committed to the cause. I felt for them because at 1-0 I felt we only needed another goal to kill them off.

"I like to play with style but it wasn't a day for playing football and it wasn't a bad point against fellow strugglers. I thought we played very well considering all the turmoil that has been going on at the club over the last week.

Updated: 10:23 Monday, February 14, 2005