Rising star Leigh Wood is vowing to brush aside his tender teenage years to revel in the pressure of a basement battle.

The York City youngster endured a baptism of fire for his debut as the Minstermen suffered their sixth successive defeat at Blackpool on Saturday.

Now Wood is gearing up for his home debut with bottom-club Carlisle the visitors to Bootham Crescent tonight for a match that is being hailed as a six-pointer.

It could hardly be a more testing environment for a player still only 17 and taking his first steps in the senior ranks.

But rather than wilt, an unflappable Wood is looking to blossom in the line of fire.

"It promises to be a very big game but I am looking forward to it and I am sure I will enjoy it," the second-year trainee said.

"We need some points and so it should be a good battle but I don't want the pressure to affect me or it will affect my game."

Having made his mark in the first team, Wood, who admits he has earned his chance sooner than expected because of injuries, is anxious to stamp his authority and repay the faith shown in him by Terry Dolan.

"I want to keep going and stay in the team," he insisted. "Even if the lads come back I want to keep my place.

* Tonight's match against Carlisle United is subject to a 3pm inspection. The recent freezing temperatures have hit parts of the Bootham Cresent pitch.

"It is a difficult time to come in because the club are quite low down at the moment and we need to get up there.

"But I think we have a decent squad to do it and it is nice to know the manager will put me in the team at such a young age."

Selby-born Wood was earmarked as one for the future when he was named among the substitutes for City's final game of last season at Leyton Orient.

Although he failed to get on the pitch that day and when he named as substitute for the Macclesfield game earlier this month, Wood admitted that brief taste had stood him in good stead at Blackpool.

"The Leyton Orient game was a brilliant experience and it meant I wasn't too nervous on Saturday," he recalled.

"I've had to be patient because there are a lot of good players in front of me but I really enjoyed it.

"I thought the first-half went okay. They let us play a bit and I was able to get on the ball and ease myself in.

"In the second-half the crowd got behind them and they pushed on a lot more and we didn't get as much of the ball."

Woods, who was full of admiration for skipper Steve Agnew for guiding him through his debut in the City engine room, had City chief Dolan purring with delight.

"I was pleased with Leigh. He came into the team without any fuss and I thought he did very well," said the City boss.

"He looked to have time on the ball and is certainly one for the future."

And Wood also earned praise from another important source after his Blackpool bow - his father.

"My dad said I did okay and he's my biggest critic so I must have done all right," said the former Selby High School pupil.

Updated: 09:27 Tuesday, January 30, 2001