COLCHESTER United reckon York City provide them with their best chance of reaching the second round for the first time in years after suffering at the hands of minnows in recent years.

United, handily placed in 11th spot in Division Two, have not got passed the first round in four seasons.

Last season they perhaps suffered their greatest humiliation, losing 5-1 to Yeovil.

But they also lost 2-1 to Swansea the season and 4-1 to Bedlington Terriers 12 months earlier. Like City, they have also lost to Conference club Hereford United in the first round, their reverse coming four years ago.

With the Yeovil hammering still fresh in the memory, United boss Steve Whitton admitted he was relieved to be facing an "established League side".

"With League clubs, you can run the rule over them far more easily than non-league teams, who will just throw everything at you because they have nothing to lose," he said.

"We are delighted to be at home and against a recognised league club.

"This might be our best chance of reaching the second round for the first time in years."

As against Scunthorpe last week, City find themselves up against a strikeforce that is proving as equally potent in front of goal as City's Lee Nogan and Michael Proctor.

Scott McGleish, ex-Barnet, has bagged nine goals this season while Kevin Rapley, the former Notts County striker and once rumoured to be a City target, has weighed in with seven.

In midfield, Colchester feature Kemal Izzet, brother of Leicester City's Turkish international Muzzy, and the evergreen Micky Stockwell.

Despite being aged 37, Stockwell remains the only player in the U's line-up not have missed a game this season or last. Significantly, he has also scored an impressive six goals from midfield.

As well as midfielder Chris Keeble being ruled out tomorrow with a long-standing Achilles problem, captain and central defender Simon Clark will also be missing.

Clark suffered a hamstring strain just before kick-off last Friday when United won at Wigan 3-2 and is expected to be out for two weeks.

Updated: 11:29 Friday, November 16, 2001