York City fans may have seen a constant change in the line-up, forced upon boss Terry Dolan by injuries, but those at Darlington this afternoon could have seen a completely different XI turn-out.

With the Professional Footballers' Association strike originally due to start today, the clash with the Quakers could quite possibly have not gone ahead.

But while Messrs Richardson and Co might have stood shoulder to shoulder with their PFA colleagues, City could have had an emergency plan to see the game go ahead.

The York City Internet Supporters' Team, The Yorkie Bars, had contacted the club offering their services for the game.

In an e-mail to City chairman Douglas Craig, the Yorkie Bars' joint-manager Peter George said: "Although we are not having the best of seasons so far, we believe we can do the City of York proud.

"Our highlight this term was the three goals we scored against Lincoln (I seem to remember the senior team managed only two) which resulted in our first-ever two-point haul from one game.

"You may be a little critical of our record, but I can assure you that it is comparable with that of Terry Dolan's. In fact, when was the last time Terry managed two points in one game?"

George goes on to add: "We are due to play the Darlington supporters in the morning and so will be making our own way there, thus not requiring the team coach."

Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on which way you look at it, the Yorkie Bars' offer was not taken up as the strike threat by the professionals ended a day after their message was sent.

City's chairman did thank the Bars for their 'generous offer' though, and promised to keep their details on file should the threat of strike ever rear its head in the future.

But with the Yorkie Bars suffering a disappointing 7-0 defeat by Sheffield Wednesday's Internet Owls in their latest game, it's unsure how they would have gone on against Darlington.

The Yorkie Bars did make a reasonably bright start, but soon faded and the Owls were quickly 1-0 up.

Godwin tried his best in goal and made some good saves, but more Wednesday goals were inevitable in the circumstances and by half-time it was 5-0.

The best scoring chance for the Bars fell to Thornton from a tight angle on the left.

Despite some changes of tactics at half-time and prolonged periods in the opponents' half, the Bars could not create the scoring chance they craved and it was the Owls who scored twice more to end all hope of a comeback.

Bars: Godwin, Wilkinson, Stone, Fitch, Long, Richardson, Thornton, Cooke, Bedingham, M Stockdale M, George, R Stockdale.

THE York Fives have reached the quarter-finals of the Worthington Fives for a second successive year, following their 5-4 win over Torquay.

York, who have beaten Fulham and Hartlepool on the way, got through to the semi-final last season only to lose to Bolton Wanderers, who went on to win the competition.

However, with Bolton already out this season, along with fellow 2000/1 semi-finalist Halifax and Wigan, York are now favourites to win the title.

The quarter and semi-finals will take place on Sunday, January 20 with a coach set to leave the South Bank Social Club at 9am.

The York team: Simon Kehoe, John Alcock, Dave Broadbent, Andy Noble, Guy Kilner and Darrell Strickland.