YORK City reject Aron Wilford is hoping to prove his former manager Chris Brass wrong by helping Lincoln to play-off glory.

Wilford believes he was not given a chance to score the goals that might have prevented City's relegation to the Nationwide Conference but he is now setting his sights on playing in the Second Division next season at Sincil Bank.

The 22-year-old forward scored his first goal for the Imps as a substitute against Yeovil at the weekend and will be hoping to figure again during the two-legged semi-final matches against Huddersfield on Saturday and Wednesday.

If Lincoln are successful, Wilford would then enjoy a fairy-tale Millennium Stadium end to a season which had looked in decline when he was released by City in March.

Having been loaned out to Unibond League clubs Harrogate Town and Worksop, Wilford looked set for a return to non-league football after signing for City from Whitby Town last summer.

But the 6ft 3in striker swapped the Conference-bound Minstermen for Second Division hopefuls Lincoln and believes Brass was wrong not to hand him more than the four league starts he scored two goals from.

Wilford said: "I was disappointed to be released because I live in Malton so York are my home-town club. I felt I did my best but the manager did not give me a game towards the end and he did not want to give me a chance which was surprising with none of the other strikers doing very well.

"I did not want the club to go down. I'm still friends with a lot of the players and Darren Dunning is one of my best mates. I also felt sorry for the supporters who have worked so hard.

"It would be a bit strange for me ending the season by playing at the Millennium Stadium after being at Worksop and Harrogate not long ago but just to be involved on the bench as I have been would be great. It would be the biggest moment in my career."

Lincoln claimed the sixth and final play-off spot despite losing at home on the final day of the season to Yeovil while Huddersfield blew their chances of automatic promotion when they conceded a late equaliser at ten-man Cheltenham.

The Terriers' agonising slip-up could prove psychologically significant at Sincil Bank but Wilford also believes the club's experiences in last season's play-offs could be just as crucial.

He said: "I think we have got a good chance over two legs and I don't think any teams fancy playing us. It will be two hard games for both teams but I think the fact that most of our lads played in last season's play-offs when they reached the final could work in our favour."

Lincoln manager Keith Alexander is expected to hand Wilford a new contract after the season ends, having initially taken the Scarborough-born attacker on a short-term basis.

And Wilford would be delighted to put pen to paper, saying: "I have really enjoyed it here and it's a good club with a good set-up. My opportunities at York were limited.

"I was not getting a game so I got in contact with Lincoln's manager, who knew of me and wanted to give me a chance. I have been involved all the time since I joined so it's been good.

"It was also nice to get my first goal on Saturday. It takes that burden off your shoulders.

"I am contracted until the end of the season. I think I will be staying but we have got to find out what division we are playing in first before the manager knows what budget he has got."

Updated: 10:15 Friday, May 14, 2004