Anyone in need of an indication as to the task facing York City tonight should look no further than Chesterfield's last result.

The Spireites extended their lead at the top of the Division Three table to nine points with a 3-0 win at Darlington - a side who ten days earlier had hammered the Minstermen 4-0 at Bootham Crescent.

Manager Nicky Law's side have lost just two games in the League all season, the last coming in mid-December with a 3-2 defeat at Southend.

They haven't conceded a goal in the League in their last five outings and saw off City's victors on Saturday, Macclesfield, 4-2 in the first round of the LDV Vans Trophy.

Law has been aided by having a settled team - tonight's line-up is expected to show only two changes from the side that beat the Minstermen on the opening day of the season 4-1.

One of those includes former City favourite Steve Tutill, who has been out since mid-December with a knee injury and is still a few weeks away from full-fitness.

Also out are former Scarborough midfielder David d'Auria, who has a foot problem, and Jon Howard, a substitute back in August, who has damaged knee ligaments.

Luke Beckett, a £150,000 target for City manager Terry Dolan in the summer, has proved his worth by plundering 13 goals.

His strike partner, David Reeves, swept aside niggling injuries to score his tenth goal of the season at Feethams on Saturday.

Chesterfield's on pitch mood contrasts sharply with their off-field rumblings since chairman Darren Brown, 29, took to the helm at the beginning of the season.

Despite their lofty position, three directors quit just last week bringing the total number leaving Saltergate at five for the season.

Specualtion suggests Norton Lea, who handed the club over to Brown nine months ago is poised for a comeback.

Hopes of moving to a new all-seater stadium in Chesterfield have also foundered with the redevelopment of Saltergate now back on the agenda.

Updated: 11:37 Tuesday, January 23, 2001