CENTRAL defender Mike Basham will miss York City's home match against Southend on October 20 after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season on Saturday.

Basham was booked - and, as the last defender, could even have been sent-off - when he hauled down Exeter's Christian Roberts on the edge of the City box.

To run salt into the wounds, Roberts stepped up to rifle home the free-kick to leave York with a mountain to climb to get back in the match.

Basham will now be forced to sit out the clash against Southend with the mandatory one-match ban.

Meanwhile, City are investigating claims a supporter was assaulted by a steward at Saturday's game.

The spectator made a complaint to the club after the game and internal inquiry is now being held.

Club secretary, Keith Usher said: "There has been a complaint made and this is being looked into."

City Under-18s will take their first steps on the road to glory tonight when they entertain Hartlepool in the first round of the FA Youth Cup (kick-off 7pm).

The youth team, who have a good pedigree in the competition, are expected to come through the tie, but City's head of youth Paul Stancliffe is taking nothing for granted.

"Last year we had a nice little run, but our squad was at the older end of the scale," he said. "This year the squad is at the younger end, with mainly first years and five players from the under-16s.

"A lot will depend on the side Harltlepool bring tonight, if they are at the older end it could be quite tight."

York, who lost 3-1 to Bradford in the U19s League on Saturday, have promoted Lee Grant, Bryan Stewart, David Stockdale, Adam Arthur and Gary Anderson from the U16s team for the game.

Stancliffe added: "They will really be looking towards next year's competition, but it will be a good experience for them, especially for Grant and Arthur, who are both York lads."

City U18s: Hampshire, Law, Davies, Boyce, McKenzie, Coad, McCabe, Barry, Ibbetson, Yalcin, Grant, Stewart, Stockdale, Arthur, Anderson.

Updated: 12:28 Tuesday, October 09, 2001