YORK City were today drawn to face First Division Rotherham United at Millmoor in the first round of the Carling Cup.

The fixture will mark another stern test for new player-boss Chris Brass in what will be his first taste of knock-out football since taking up the Bootham Crescent hot-seat.

City have not reached the second round of the competition since 1997, but have performed admirably in the previous two seasons when taking on First Division opponents.

Last season, City lost narrowly to cup-specialists Sheffield United 1-0 at Bramall Lane. The Blades went on to reach the semi-finals of both the League Cup and the FA Cup and also reached the Division One play-off final.

In the previous season, City were knocked out by Crewe Alexandra after losing in a tense penalty shoot-out at Bootham Crescent.

Despite their lack of success in recent seasons, the biggest night in City's history arguably came in the League Cup in 1995 when they beat Man-chester United 3-0 at Old Trafford.

Brass admitted the fixture is a tough one, but is relishing the challenge.

He said: "It is another derby as far as Yorkshire is concerned and we are going to have a few on them this year."

The rest of the cup draw has thrown up some tasty ties, including Chris Turner facing his former charges when his Sheffield Wednesday side entertain Hartlepool.

Sunderland were handed a trip to Mansfield as they faced up to life in the first round.

Mick McCarthy's side joined the other 72 Nationwide League sides in the draw following their relegation from the top-flight last season and the Stags will be keen to cause an upset at Field Mill when the tie is played during the week of August 11.

West Ham, also relegated from the Barclaycard Premiership in May, will be at home to Rushden & Diamonds, while Brentford will travel to The Hawthorns to meet West Brom.

Last season's beaten semi-finalists Sheffield United have been handed an away tie at Macclesfield, while Football League new-boys Yeovil and Doncaster will make their debuts at Luton and home to Grimsby respectively.

The draw for the first round of the Carling Cup is as follows: Huddersfield v Derby; Rotherham v York CIty; Crewe v Wrexham; Doncaster v Grimsby; Chesterfield v Burnley; Sheff Wed v Hartlepool; Macclesfield v Sheff Utd; Stoke v Rochdale; Tranmere v Bury; Scunthorpe v Oldham; Walsall v Carlisle; Bradford v Darlington; Port Vale v Nottm Forest; Barnsley v Blackpool; Preston v Notts County; Wigan v Hull; Lincoln v Stockport; Mansfield v Sunderland; Coventry v Peterborough; Wycombe v Wimbledon; Colchester v Plymouth; Ipswich v Kidderminster; Millwall v Oxford Utd; Cambridge Utd v Gillingham; Bristol City v Swansea; Watford v Bournemouth; Southend v Swindon; Boston Utd v Reading; Luton v Yeovil; Bristol Rovers v Brighton & Hove Albion; West Brom v Brentford; Cheltenham v QPR; Cardiff v Leyton Orient; West Ham v Rushden & Diamonds; Northampton v Norwich; Torquay v Crystal Palace.

Ties to be played week commencing August 11.

Updated: 14:12 Wednesday, June 25, 2003