OUT of the cup and out of pocket - that's York City today.

It was bad enough losing at Accrington Stanley last night with virtually the last kick in extra time but the attendance for the Gladwish Land Sales Conference Cup was so low that the Minstermen made a loss on the trip.

Just 392 hardy souls - thought to be the lowest crowd City have played in front of at senior level - braved the cold at the Interlink Express Stadium where Viv Busby's team lost 2-1 in cruel fashion.

City finance director Terry Doyle estimated City would have lost out to the tune of "the low hundreds in pounds."

Clubs pay their own travelling costs then split the net gate receipts with the home clubs. By the time stewarding and lighting costs have been included, City's first journey in to the competition left them in the red last night.

Had they won City were guaranteed a home tie against Tamworth, 3-1 victors over Worcester last night.

It was City's eighth successive defeat in senior cup competitions.

City's match at home to Aldershot on Good Friday has been brought forward to Sunday, February 6, after Exeter's FA Trophy replay win last night.

The clubs agreed to switch the potentially awkward 3pm kick off on March 25 to next Sunday at 2pm to make it easier for fans to travel to the match.

Exeter's 2-0 defeat of Billericay in the third round replay means that they will be involved in the fourth round on February 5, instead of playing Aldershot Town in the Conference.

City were originally scheduled to play leaders Barnet on that date, but the London club are also in the fourth round of the Trophy, meaning that both teams had a blank fixture and were willing to move it to the Sunday of the weekend.

Doyle said it would save costs on policing and stewarding, and the crowds tend to be slightly better on a Sunday with those normally working on a Saturday able to attend.

An added bonus could be that York City Knights fans who like to go to the football, too, will not be torn as the Knights' season does not kick off until the following Sunday.

City skipper Steve Davis will continue his comeback tonight when City reserves take on Darlington in the Pontin's Holidays League Division One East at KitKat Crescent (7pm).

Trialists Giovanni Carchedi from Grimsby Town and former Burnley man Paul Weller are also expected to get a run out.

Updated: 10:48 Wednesday, January 26, 2005