LIGHTNING can strike twice to generate a right Royals stunner.

One year ago Chris Smith was a member of the Reading squad, who witnessed the Second Division club being humbled in its own backyard by York City.

Now 12 months on Smith is hoping to play an integral role in repeating that feat, only this time seeing off the Royals at the first attempt in tomorrow's FA Cup second round tie at Bootham Crescent.

Smith admitted to being stunned by City's exploits in the corresponding Cup collision last season when City shook off the setback of a 2-2 draw at the Crescent to rout the Royals 3-1 at the Madejski Stadium.

Since then he has been released by the Berkshire brigade and is now charting a new future in the game with City.

Nothing would please him more than to be able to point the FA Cup exit to the club, where he spent four formative years.

"I left Reading on good terms. The manager (Alan Pardew) just felt I was a fringe player and that if I wanted to get first-team football I might be better trying other clubs," said Smith. At that time Reading's playing roster stood at 42 professionals - one of the biggest in the Nationwide League.

But the disappointment of not being wanted prompted him to add: "I feel I do have something to prove to them."

As he yearned to play some part in tomorrow's tie Smith voiced his confidence that should the Minstermen perform to their full potential then a second helping of cup humiliation might again be Reading's fate provided hosts City apply the big squeeze.

Centre-back Smith told the Evening Press: "Reading are not unbeatable.

"They are on a good run at the moment, but if we can pressure them we can force them into mistakes and we are capable of that.

"What we cannot afford to do is give them time on the ball or they will likely open us up.

"But it is a one-off game and while Reading will probably go up this season from Division Two I believe we have got a big chance of beating them."

Smith is one of four Minstermen who have played for the Royals. Striker Lee Nogan and defender Neville Stamp are ex-Reading players, while Graham Potter was briefly on loan with the Berkshire club.

Of that quartet Nogan is a major doubt with a calf strain. If Nogan fails to shake off the knock, Lee Bullock is set to continue up front with Alex Mathie on the bench.

Boss Terry Dolan said: "There is a chance Lee (Nogan) might not start."

Dolan, who had Reading watched against Chesterfield and then saw them against Barnet in their LDV Vans Trophy defeat in midweek, said: "They are a far better team than Colchester, which gives an idea of how I rate them.

"But they are not unbeatable, no team is unbeatable."

Updated: 12:35 Friday, December 07, 2001