YORK City boss Chris Brass is hoping a cauldron-like atmosphere at Doncaster Rovers on Saturday can inspire his players to produce a party-pooping performance.

If results go a certain way then - because of insurmountable goal difference - Doncaster could secure the Third Division title on their Belle Vue ground on Saturday but, equally, City could be condemned to Conference football, making the match a massive fixture for both teams.

A home victory means that if both Scunthorpe and Rochdale win and Huddersfield beat Hull it would take mathematical miracles to save City from relegation and prevent Doncaster clinching the championship.

A sell-out crowd for the all-ticket clash is expected at Doncaster, where 2,000 fans were locked out before the Easter Monday home game against Cambridge when promotion to Division Two was secured.

But anybody without a ticket can still buy one with half of City's 1,100 allocation still available today.

Minstermen manager Brass said: "I think the atmosphere can help us. You would expect it to help the home side as well but if we can get at them and try to spoil the party it could work in our favour.

"They are on a high but there will be a few nerves. I have played in that kind of situation before when you need the points to go up and, in a mad sort of way, it can be difficult because everybody's expecting you to go out there and win.

"You certainly want to play in these occasions even as players even though we should need no further motivation than looking at our situation."

Brass is also calling on his players to remember their performances in front of big crowds at Huddersfield and Hull this season.

The Minstermen enjoyed a 1-0 victory at the McAlpine Stadium in August and were narrowly and undeservedly beaten 2-1 by Peter Taylor's Hull in February.

"Those performances proved that the players can put in the level of performance that is required," Brass said.

"One or two have found it difficult because of the position we are in but you have to keep believing in yourself."

Brass will also remind his side of their performance in the 1-0 victory against Doncaster last November.

That defeat marred a 12-game league run in which the South Yorkshire club won each of the other 11 matches although Brass points out that any double over the top team is of secondary importance to Third Division survival.

He said: "Donny are one of the best sides we have come up against and we managed to beat them 1-0.

"It was a great game and they will be trying to get one over on us because we spoiled their good run but, by the same token, we have three massive games in which to close the gap.

"Doing the double over Doncaster would be an accolade but it's more important to get the points that will give us a chance of staying in the division."

Updated: 10:57 Thursday, April 22, 2004