SKIPPER Steve Agnew insists the uncertain future of runaway Division Three leaders Chesterfield has not deflected York City from their fight against relegation.

The spectre of finishing bottom is the driving force behind City's bid to move up the table, he revealed, not a Chesterfield escape clause.

A three-day Football League disciplinary panel into financial irregularities at Saltergate fined the Spirietes £20,000 for breaking eight League regulations and recommended they be deducted nine points.

There was a school of thought that Chesterfield would receive a harsher punishment - possible relegation to the Conference.

Instead the points deduction - if ratified by the League next week - will see them drop to third place on today's standings.

However, Agnew maintains City's players were not looking for any favours from football's top brass.

"The situation at Chesterfield has been mentioned by the lads in conversations but only in so far as what will happen to Chesterfield," he said.

"We have never talked about whether it will help clubs at the bottom stay in the League. It has never crossed our minds.

"You cannot afford to rely on something like that and in any case thinking it might not matter if you finish bottom of the league sends out negative vibes.

"Pride in your self and as a club makes you want to finish as high up the league as possible. I know that could sound a bit of a clich but it's true.

"We obviously want to stay in the League but we also want to finish the season strongly and as high up the table as possible so we can go into next season with confidence."

Agnew admits a sixth sense is telling him City are ready to put daylight between them and the hot-spot of relegation.

Bottom-club Halifax Town are the visitors to Bootham Crescent tomorrow for what can only be described as a true six-pointer.

A victory - City's first in four attempts - would give the Minstermen a healthy eight point gap between them and the Shaymen.

However, after City's nine-match unbeaten run was ground to a halt by Plymouth in their last Bootham Crescent outing, another City defeat would bring Halifax to within two points with a game in hand.

It all points to an edgy, tense affair not least because last season's corresponding fixture saw three Halifax players sent off in a fiery encounter. But skipper Agnew, who has missed City's last two outings due to suspension, insists he can detect a new steel in the City ranks.

And so while previously City may have gone into the game crippled by fear after suffering a defeat, Agnew reckons it will be a different Minstermen - both in mind and make-up - that will face Halifax tomorrow.

"It is another massive game but it feels like we have had them all season really," said Agnew.

"But we are ready for it. I just think since the start of the run back at Rochdale there is a lot more confidence in the squad.

"There have been changes of personnel as well and that has obviously helped. But there is definitely more confidence within the squad - I can sense that as an experienced player.

"The lads now feel they can go out and win games whereas previously we were a bit anxious, particularly at home."

And while last week's postponement to Shrewsbury was a disappointment, Agnew believes rather than dull the senses the two weeks without a game has merely focused the attention on the matter in hand.

"We complain when we have too many games but you would always rather play than miss games," said Agnew.

Updated: 11:35 Friday, April 13, 2001