York City will go at the Pirates with all guns blazing in an effort to free themselves from an imminent relegation battle sooner rather than later.

City player boss Chris Brass will be urging his side to a crucial three points against Bristol Rovers tomorrow to make the most out of their one game advantage over most of their rivals.

He said: "We know we've got a game in hand but it's never a cushion.

"You still have to get the points but your fate's in your hands, and you can't worry about anybody else and it's all about the results we get in the last nine games.

"Looking at the league table we know how important it is. We've got to make sure we can pull away and get those wins that will take us to safety and sooner rather than later because you don't want to be getting into a dogfight in the last couple of games of the season. Nobody wants that because anything can happen.

"We've got to make sure we can get to the Easter period and know where we are going to be and that we are planning for the future in the Third Division next season."

City's plight will be made all the more harder by the fact that the next three games are all against teams scrapping to avoid the drop - starting at Bristol Rovers.

"They're all fighting for their life," said Brass.

"They're all down there so it'll be like nine cup games really, especially the next five against teams that are around us.

"You've got to make sure you're up for it and they'll be interesting games. They won't need any firing up - they know how important it is and what's at stake so the boys are looking forward to it."

One positive thing to come out of last week's late postponement was the chance to spend more time integrating new boys Richard Offiong, Kevin Donovan and Andy Bell with captain Darren Edmondson another week closer to fitness, although he will still have to miss this weekend.

York could be facing as many as seven new faces in tomorrow's line up - including new management duo Russell Osman and Kevan Broadhurst who took over as caretaker bosses this week. Brass admitted they will be a bit of an unknown quantity.

"Sometimes it's for the good, sometimes it's for the worse, you really don't know," said the City boss. "It's a huge game and whoever gets the three points it's a massive step towards safety so we've got to go there and be positive.

"Between now and the end of the season, what I'm really concerned with is what York City do so we've got to make sure we get the right result and relax everybody."

Updated: 11:03 Friday, March 26, 2004