DARREN Dunning will warm York City's bench for the first time in his career tonight.

Caretaker boss Viv Busby has vowed to keep faith with the players that beat Carlisle United 2-1 in the Minstermen's last outing and that means Dunning will be named as a substitute for the home clash with high-flying Halifax Town.

The 23-year-old midfielder missed the Carlisle victory because of a one-match suspension.

Teenage replacement Kane Ashcroft impressed in his absence and will be rewarded by retaining his starting place.

But Busby might be forced into one change with striker Andy Bishop facing a late fitness test on the ankle he injured against the Cumbrians.

Should Bishop not be available then Lev Yalcin will partner Lee Nogan in attack rather than fit-again Paul Robinson.

Dunning has always commanded a first-team place when fit and free from suspension since his arrival from Blackburn Rovers in the summer.

He was also an ever-present in City's midfield this season until picking up a fifth booking that resulted in a one-match ban and Busby said: "Darren has played really well throughout the season and worked his socks off but it would be difficult to leave somebody out.

"There wasn't a weak link against Carlisle and, if everybody's fit, it's only fair that I pick the same side. If you play like that and then get left out players can think 'What do I have to do to get into the team'.

"I don't drop players - players drop themselves. It's up to people who are out of the team to take their chance when they go back in.

"It gives us good competition and I don't want anybody hanging their heads if they are out of the team. Darren will be disappointed but I'm sure he will work hard to get back in the side.

"In many ways he deserves to be playing but it's a funny old game. Chris Porter's doing really well at the moment but David Stockdale has taken his chance."

If Bishop is unfit then Busby will turn to Yalcin rather than Robinson, who he believes could be rusty having not played since damaging his hamstring at Barnet in mid-October.

The message for Yalcin was a familiar one with City's acting manager saying: "If Lev is playing today then, as I've said before, he's got to do what he's showing in training because he scored three unstoppable goals from 30 yards yesterday."

Busby is also hoping that experienced former Crewe captain Shaun Smith can keep the pressure on left-sided duo Sean Davies and Dave Merris.

He said: "Shaun Smith will be on the bench again. We were looking at playing him at Woking before his injury but, since then, Dave Merris had played wide left and been outstanding."

Teenage left-winger Bryan Stewart is now back in full training but will play a reserve match before being considered for first-team duty after a recent groin injury.

Busby is also calling for his team to prove they can produce impressive back-to-back performances against two of the Conference's top teams.

He said: "It's no good having one good result. We have got to look for consistency now.

"If I was a player I would be thinking if we can beat Carlisle we can give anybody a game and it will be a major factor to see if we can carry on from where we left off."

Updated: 10:46 Tuesday, December 07, 2004