YORK City and Reading were locked in talks today over the proposed £50,000 due to the Minstermen.

When City sold Murty to the Royals in summer 1999 for £850,000 City inserted a clause in the deal that would see them net £50,000 should Reading gain promotion during the course of Murty's contract with the Berkshire club.

Reading, who missed out on promotion to division one via the play-offs last season, made it on Saturday with a 1-1 draw at Brentford.

Murty signed a four-year deal with Reading when he left City but has since signed an extension to that deal which has complicated the issue.

City were hoping to resolve the pay-out in their favour today. If not then they are likely to appeal to the FA to make a ruling.

Updated: 12:13 Monday, April 22, 2002