York City boss Terry Dolan is seeking perfection tonight - a clean sheet.
"A clean sheet would be perfect," said the City chief ahead of this evening's game against bottom-club Carlisle.
While happy with the Minstermen's new found forward momentum Dolan admitted the defensive lapses which cost City dear against Luton on Saturday were a cause for concern.
"We didn't defend well enough again and we have worked on a few things in training," said the City manager.
"It is case of being patient.
"We want to continue playing the right way because the supporters appreciate it.
"But while we try to play the right kind of football going forward it may be that we are not doing the other side well enough.
"We need to defend better as a team and we need to be that bit stronger."
Dolan is adamant Carlisle will be no pushovers, despite the fact the Cumbrians have yet to win a game this season.
"It will certainly be a good test and we will have to work very hard and be at our best," said Dolan. "Although they have not been getting the results the reports we have been getting say they have been working very hard.
"Certainly, they were unlucky at Darlington the other week when they were 2-0 up and ended up drawing 2-2."
With Michael Evans ruled out with a hamstring, Marc Salvati will make his full debut tonight.
Neville Stamp and Aidan O'Kane are both added to the squad and will fit it out for the one remaining place on the bench.
Carlisle United v City
Match Points
- CITY have won on three of their last five visits to Brunton Park but overall in 37 league trips to Cumbria they have only recorded six victories.
- They were successful on their last pre-war visit (1938/9 3-1) and their first in the post war period (1946/7 2-1) and in 1954/5 won a remarkable game 5-4. In this match Billy Fenton hit four goals and Mick Granger made his league debut in goal.
- City's recent wins were 2-1 in 1992/3 (Jon McCarthy and Nigel Pepper penalty) 2-1 in 1997/8 (Alan Pouton and Andy McMillan) and 1999/2000 when John Williams headed the only goal of the game.
- Their biggest reverses on this ground were 5-1 in 1932/3 and 4-0 in 1934/5 and 1653/4. The corresponding game last season ended 1-1 with Peter Duffield scoring from the penalty spot.
- Players to have appeared for both clubs include Keith Walwyn, Scott Endersby, David McAughtrie, Gordon Staniforth and Paul Baker.
Tonight's line-ups
York City (possible): Fettis, Edmondson, Basham, Fielding, Potter, Salvati, Brass, Bullock, Richardson, Nogan, Proctor. Subs, from: Howarth, Hocking, Fox, Cooper, O'Kane, Stamp
Carlisle United (possible): Weaver, Birch, Murphy, Winstanley, Whitehead, McGill, Elliott, Harkin, Berkley, Halliday, Foran Subs, from: Keen, Maddison, Hews, Morley, Hore, Dickinson, Rogers
Referee: Graham Laws (Whitley Bay)
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Updated: 12:00 Tuesday, September 18, 2001
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