YORK CITY wing-back David Merris will be out to erase painful FA Cup first round memories when he takes the field against neighbours Barnsley on Sunday.

Merris, 23, was a member of the historic Harrogate Town team that reached the competition's first round proper for the first time last season.

But what started as a fairytale week for Merris ended in a nightmare at Farnborough as he was stretchered off after only 22 minutes with a suspected broken leg and Harrogate already trailing 4-1.

Fortunately, Merris' leg was only badly bruised but he was still sidelined for a month and Harrogate went on to lose 5-1 at the Nationwide Conference outfit.

"My whole experience of first round games is not the best," admitted Merris. "Before the game we really thought we had a good chance of going through and putting on a good show but they came out all guns blazing and I think we were 3-0 down after ten minutes.

"Colin Hunter got one back for us and gave us some hope but they scored again and then I was injured which was a bit devastating because, up to then, it was the biggest game of my career. Having said that, it was a brilliant weekend for the town because Railway also qualified for the first round for the very first time and ended up winning at Slough and playing Bristol City.

"And, even though our result was stupid, just having the experience of playing in the FA Cup was all I had ever wanted. You have to pinch yourself at a non-league club when you are on Match of the Day."

Like last season, Merris will be going into the first stage of this year's tournament as an underdog with City playing host to Division Two high-fliers Barnsley.

But the former Rotherham trainee believes the Minstermen can pull off a shock and is looking forward to his second taste of FA Cup first round action.

He said: "I truly believe we can cause an upset especially with it being at home. We have only lost once at Bootham Crescent this season and if we get a good crowd behind us and put in a performance like we did against Oxford then I think we can do it. They have had a decent run in the League but they lost at the weekend.

"I've got the same feeling this week that I had at this stage with Harrogate. Nothing's changed.

"You always get excited about the FA Cup. Playing in the Third Division is great but in the FA Cup there's the chance of drawing one of the Premiership clubs."

City will be without ex-Barnsley striker Jon Parkin, who misses the tie against his home-town club because of suspension.

But another former Oakwell old boy Mitch Ward will play and Merris believes those links have added extra spice to an already appetising local cup clash.

He said: "I feel absolutely gutted for Jonny because I saw how devastated he was after the draw came out. But he will still be wanting to get one over on them and we will be trying to win it for him and Mitch."

Merris added that Parkin's absence will be felt as the 21-year-old striker begins a four-match ban.

The powerful forward has netted twice in three games since being restored to the staring line-up after an injury lay-off and scored an early Goal of the Season contender from 40 yards at Cheltenham on Saturday.

"Since he's come back he's given us a bit extra with his height and strength," Merris said. "He causes problems and, as we saw on Saturday, he can finish from anywhere."

Updated: 10:28 Wednesday, November 05, 2003