Life was a beach for York City as manager Terry Dolan took his troops on a day trip to the seaside.

Not that the City squad were taking things easy ahead of Sunday's FA Cup first round tie against Radcliffe Borough.

Met by an icy breeze coming in off the North Sea, the first team were put through their paces on the beach at Filey as Dolan decided a change is as good as a rest.

Not that it was all work and no fun for City.

The players still managed to stop off at the Three Tuns in Filey for a traditional slap-up meal of fish, chips and mushy peas.

Landlord Lex Austin is an old friend of Bootham Crescent having previously run the Burton Stone Inn in York and was only too happy to serve up the treat.

"I'm actually a good friend of City director Barry Swallow and he mentioned Terry Dolan was going to bring the players over for some training this week," he explained. "Well you can't come to Filey and leave without having fish and chips."

The next 24 hours will decide whether defender Darren Edmondson and experienced midfielder Steve Agnew will line-up against Radcliffe.

Edmondson is trying to shake off a calf strain that forced him out of the clash with the Gulls and the 4-0 defeat at Cardiff City, while Agnew, suspended for the Torquay game, was already out of the running last week due to a hamstring strain.

"They have both been working with physio Jeff Miller for the last few days, but both were back training with the squad today," explained assistant boss Adie Shaw.

"The scenario is the same for both of them. We will see how they go in training and if there is any reaction over the next 24 hours before making a decision."

City will be without midfield enforcer Kevin Hulme, the two-goal hero of last weekend's 3-2 success over Torquay United, who is suspended.

Both City's current loanees, Chris Iwelumo from Stoke City and Aston Villa's Neil Tarrant, have been given clearance by their clubs to play in the FA Cup tie.

City starlet Russ Howarth's wish came true as he played the full 90 minutes for England under-18s at Bradford City's Valley Parade ground last night.

The young lions were victorious beating Belgium 3-2 and Howarth was given a full game by England coach Martin Hunter.

* Full FA Cup match preview Radcliffe Borough v York City in tomorrow's night's Evening Press.