Perennial strugglers Carlisle United will arrive at Bootham Crescent tonight threatening the improbable.

After two seasons when their Football League status has only been secured on the final day, the Cumbrians find themselves yet again rooted to the floor of the basement.

However, Carlisle have remained unbeaten since the New Year and the feeling at Brunton Park is that United are on the rise.

Victory over the Minstermen would give them ten points from the last 12 and after Saturday's 2-1 win over Mansfield and a 2-2 draw with the division's in-form team, Hartlepool, a week earlier the Cumbrians are certainly in buoyant mood.

A number of recent signings by manager Ian Atkins have been deemed crucial in Carlisle's renaissance.

Goalkeeper Matthew Glennon arrived just before Christmas on loan from Bolton Wanderers and has done much to stem the flow of goals conceded.

He underlined his commitment to the United cause by recently rejecting a £50,000 switch to Bristol Rovers in favour of staying at Brunton Park.

Ex-Chesterfield Midfielder Mick Galloway and left-back Lee Maddison, formerly of Dundee, have also committed themselves to Carlisle after productive loan spells.

Since returning north, one-time City winger Gordon Connelly has shown flashes of the form that once persuaded Alan Little to pay £70,000 to bring his services to Bootham Crescent.

Connelly, signed on a free from Southend United just before Christmas, may have to settle for a place on the bench tonight, however, if Atkins persists with a 5-3-2 formation.

Former Shrimper centre-back David Morley has also arrived on loan and has been named man of the match in his first two games.

Morley further endeared himself to the Carlisle faithful by scoring the crucial second in Saturday's win over Mansfield.

York City (possible): Alan Fettis, Barry Jones, Mark Sertori, Colin Alcide, Neville Stamp, Steve Agnew, Leigh Wood, James Turley, Marc Thompson, David McNiven, Chris Iwelumo.

Subs (from): Russ Howarth, Scott Emmerson, Graham Potter, Scott Jordan, Mark Bower. Injury news: Chris Fairclough (calf), Gary Hobson, Lee Bullock, Darren Edmondson, Christian Fox, Kevin Hulme (all knee), Peter Duffield (broken leg), Darren Patterson (Achilles), Alex Mathie (hamstring), Wayne Hall (ankle)

Suspended: None

Carlisle (possible): Matthew Glennon, Lee Maddison, Stuart Whitehead, Mark Winstanley, Dave Morley, Mark Birch, Richard Prokas, Mick Galloway, Steven Soley, Scott Dobie, Ian Stevens

Subs (from): Steve Halliday, Gordon Connelly, Carl Heggs, Julian Darby, Anthony Hemmings. Injury news: Jamie Squires (knee ligaments), Mark Thurstan (knee ligaments)

Suspended: None

Updated: 12:05 Tuesday, January 30, 2001