York City's long-awaited search for a goal-scorer has finally come to an end.

The Minstermen yesterday secured the services of former Newcastle United and Hartlepool striker Paul Robinson pending a medical today after months of agonising near-misses for player manager Chris Brass.

City's well-documented lack of fire-power was touted as one of the main reasons they slid out of the Football League with potential life-line loan deals constantly tripping up over finance issues.

But the jinx has now lifted and Robinson is keen to let his feet do the talking and fire City out of the Conference at the first time of asking.

He said: "I'm excited about coming to York.

"It's going to be a challenge to get back up first time round because it's not an easy league to win, but there's a good bunch of lads there so we will all give it our best shot."

Robinson, who hit nine goals in 23 starts for Hartlepool last season, added: "My target is whatever I've got at the end of the season. Really I just want to play every single game of the season, and with any luck, I will.

"At the end of the day, I kick a ball about the pitch and I've done that all my life, so I can't see any problems with that."

The 25-year-old started his football career as a trainee at Darlington before making a £250,000 switch to Premiership giants Newcastle United. He made a total of 16 appearances for the Magpies and even fired in a goal at CSKA Sofia in the UEFA Cup, leading to a £1.5million transfer to Wimbledon.

Several loan spells followed at Burnley, Dundee United, Grimsby and Carlisle until a free transfer to Hartlepool was agreed and he played his part in last season's Division Two play-off campaign.

But while Hartlepool and several other clubs all proposed a deal for the young hitman, Robinson turned them down to link up with former Burnley room-mate Brass at York City on a Bosman transfer.

Robinson said: "A few clubs had come in for me but I knew Chris from Burnley and I sort of gave him first option.

"I told the other clubs that I was meeting Chris and what the situation was. Everyone made us feel welcome and, touch wood, the medical will go okay."

Robinson has played with fellow City new boys Steve Davis and Paul Groves at Burnley and Blackpool and Grimsby, and added: "I've met some of the lads already and they seem all right. But I'm sure I will get to know them all very quickly. I'm dead cheeky anyway so that always seems to help."

Brass said: "The deal stalled a little bit while I was away but I wanted to make sure that it was sorted as soon as I got back. It's fantastic knowing that people are prepared to come here and want to be a part of what we are trying to do.

"He was offered a deal by Hartlepool but he just wanted to play football. He's seen the calibre of players we are trying to attract and he is another welcome addition.

"He has proven he can play - five years ago he was scoring in Europe and he was a million-pound signing.

"He is a bubbly, confident lad that can bring a great deal to the dressing-room and once the crowd see how good he is, I am sure he will become a favourite."

Scarborough winger Keith Gilroy has agreed a new deal at the McCain Stadium.

The Republic of Ireland under-21 international was set to join Nationwide Conference champions Chester City earlier this summer.

But a foot injury scuppered the move and Gilroy, 20, will now start the new season with the Seasiders.

"It's a further step towards putting together a side for an assault on the play-offs next season," said Scarborough chairman Malcolm Reynolds.

Former Middlesbrough man Gilroy was restricted to just 11 appearances last season but scored three times and will be hoping to regain the form and fitness he showed when joining the Seasiders in March, 2003.

Updated: 10:27 Thursday, July 01, 2004