Orient excess

The Minstermen boast a fantastic record over the London club in the last ten years with Nogan anxious that City's hoodoo over Orient will extend beyond the weekend.

In three appearances as a Minstermen at Brisbane Road, Nogan has never lost, drawing once and winning the last two.

More impressively, City have not lost at Orient since 1993 and not lost to the London outfit home or away in their last 11 outings.

"Some places are like that, you go there and always get a result and hopefully that will continue on Saturday," Nogan told the Evening Press.

"It was an important win over Doncaster last Saturday but we need to kick on now.

"It's five unbeaten in the League now, which is a good run, but to be really up there we have to keep that run going and start turning the draws into wins.

"We've had four draws in that five and it could be argued you are better getting two wins and two defeats because it is an extra two points.

"But where we are coming from away from home, the run we are on has steadied the ship and remaining unbeaten breeds confidence."

Nogan admitted too much could be made of statistics and City's record at Brisbane Road was no guarantee of success tomorrow.

However, he reckoned such a run might sow seeds of doubt in the opposition, which City could then exploit.

"We will certainly be going there positive and looking for three points," he insisted.

"What we have done before has gone but it may just put a bit of fear into them.

"Whatever happens, if we give the same performance as last Saturday we will have no problems."

The City player-coach, gunning for his 30th goal as a Minstermen tomorrow, threw down the gauntlet to City's new forward faces who have eyes on his starting shirt.

Nogan has been in inspirational form of late and with four goals this season is the club's joint top scorer with Lee Bullock.

"I'm happy with my form and I think the break I had when I was ill did me good," he explained.

"I watched from the sidelines and took things in a bit more and I just hope it continues.

"I've said before I want to carry on playing as long as I can.

"I think I'll know when I'm not offering any more but I'm still enjoying my football and still getting the odd goal now and again.

"We have brought in Gary (Browne) and Jon (Shaw,) and they have provided competition for places.

"It is keeping everyone on their toes but it is up to the lads to get me out, as simple as that.

"At the same time, you know you have to keep up the performances to stay in the side."

York City's youngsters are without a game tomorrow after their early exit from the Youth Alliance Cup.

York City: (probable): Ovendale, Edmondson, Smith, Brass, Hope, Merris, Bullock, Dunning, Brackstone, Nogan, Shaw. Subs, from: Porter, Browne, Wilford, George, Cooper, Wood, Fox.

Leyton Orient (probable): Harrison, Joseph, Peters, Miller, Lockwood, Purser, Hammond, Hunt, Newey, Alexander, Ibehre, Subs, from: Forbes, Toner, Morris, Jones, Akinfenwa, Stephen.

Ref: Lee Probert (South Gloucs).

Kick off: 3pm.

- CITY can boast an excellent recent record over the London club and have not lost (home/away) in the last 11 outings against Orient.

- Their last defeat was 2-0 at Brisbane Road in September 1993 and since then City have won seven times with four draws.

- Ten previous trips to London have resulted in four wins and two draws.

- They have won on their last two visits: 2-1 in 2001/02 and 1-0 last term when Anthony Shandran was the marksman. The line-up on February 8, 2003 was: Ingham, Cooper, Smith, Brass, Jones, Cowan, Bullock, Potter, Nogan, Parkin, Shandran. This win moved City up to fourth in the table.

- Among the players to have appeared for both sides are David Dunmore, Derrick Downing, Keith Houchen and Paul Atkin.

Statistics by Dave Batters

Updated: 10:54 Friday, November 21, 2003