FLUCTUATING fortunes and formations will occupy the thoughts of under pressure Halifax Town boss Paul Bracewell as the Shaymen get ready to descend on Bootham Crescent tomorrow.

The midweek 2-1 home defeat to Blackpool saw Town crash back to the foot of the Football League, five points adrift of York City, but with a game in hand.

It was an abject performance from Halifax, all the more disappointing for their fans given that a three-match unbeaten run had fostered hopes of a concerted pull-away from relegation.

The Blackpool defeat was marked by a sudden switch of formations by Bracewell - from the 4-4-2 that had garnered five points from a possible nine, to a 5-3-2 line-up.

Although Bracewell was anxious to point the finger at individual errors rather than tactical tinkerings for the Tangerine nightmare, sources close to the Shay say he will likely revert to a flat back four on Saturday.

Certainties to start are Halifax's top scorer Steve Kerrigan - 17 goals this season - and the impressive Michael Proctor, who has scored three goals in five appearances since arriving on loan from Sunderland.

So too are veteran centre-midfielders Steve Thompson and new player-coach Neil Redfearn, who earlier this year spurned the opportunity of a loan move to Bootham Crescent.

Craig Middleton and Paul Stoneman, two of the three players who saw red in last season's corresponding stormy clash with City, are expected to take up the positions out wide.

Stoneman has been out for two months after ankle surgery but played 60 minutes of a behind-closed doors friendly against Huddersfield on Wednesday.

It is in defence that Bracewell may make changes.

Despite central defenders Chris Clarke and Graham Mitchell - the player involved in a spat with City mascot Yorkie last season - making the errors that led to Blackpool's two goals on Tuesday both are expected to retain their places.

However, former Scarborough defender Mark Jules could make way for Peter Murphy, on loan from Blackburn, despite scoring Halifax's goal in midweek.

Murphy has also been out for a month with an ankle injury but played in the 2-1 friendly win over Huddersfield.

York City v Halifax Town match-file

Nationwide League Division Three at Bootham Crescent, tomorrow 3pm

York City

Team (possible): Alan Fettis, Richard Cooper, Mike Basham, Chris Brass, Mark Bower, Graham Potter, Lee Bullock, Steve Agnew, Nick Richardson, Lee Nogan, Colin Alcide

Subs (from): Russ Howarth, Matt Hocking, David McNiven, Darren Edmondson, Gary Hobson, Scott Emmerson,

Injury news: Peter Duffield (recovering from broken leg), Christian Fox (knee), Wayne Hall (thigh), Alex Mathie (calf)

Suspended: None

Halifax Town

Team (possible): Craig Mawson, Paul Mitchell, Chris Clarke, Graham Mitchell, Peter Murphy, Craig Middleton, Steve Thompson, Neil Redfearn, Paul Stoneman, Steve Kerrigan, Michael Proctor

Subs (from): Mark Jules, Alan Reilly, Matthew Clarke, Robbie Painter, Ian Richards, Peter Crookes

Injury news: Lee Butler (knee), Gary Jones (knee), Chris Wilder (back)

Suspended: None

Match Points

THE Shaymen have made 44 previous League visits winning six, drawing 16.

Big City wins in the series have been 7-2 in 1931-32 when Reg Baines netted a hat trick in the last league game to be staged at Fulfordgate and 6-0 in 1948-49 with Alf Patrick scoring four goals.

In 1951-52 Alf hit a hat trick in a 6-2 success and in 1955-56 City won 5-0. John Byrne scored three goals in a 4-1 victory over Town in 1983-84.

The biggest attendance was 12,719 when on the last day of the 1964-65 campaign City clinched promotion from division four with a 4-0 win with goals from Paul Aimson (2), Billy Rudd and Andy Provan.

Town's last win here was on Boxing Day 1989 when Nick Richardson scored both goals in their 2-0 success.

He is among a number of players who over the years have represented both clubs. Others include Mick Granger, Walter Bingley, Geoff Hutt, Alan Whitehead, David Pugh, Steve Spooner, Archie Taylor, Gary Nicholson, Barry Tait, Mark Sertori, Kevin Hulme, Marc Williams, Rodney Rowe.

In the corresponding game last season on April 29, 2000, Town had three players sent off. City won 2-0 with goals from James Turley and Scott Jordan.

Compiled by David Batters

Updated: 11:43 Friday, April 13, 2001