Almost there. York City are just one draw away from ending their relegation dread.

Northampton's blank Bank Holiday share-all at Chesterfield ensured the Cobblers - in tandem with bottom two clubs Macclesfield and Lincoln City - cannot now overhaul the Minstermen, barring a mathematical feat of miraculous dimensions.

City would need to lose at Manchester City on Saturday without scoring, while the Cobblers would have to notch 16 goals against Burnley at the Sixfields Stadium on Saturday.

So now anything less than wins for either Oldham tonight, or Wycombe tomorrow, will secure City's survival and confirm their seventh successive season in the Second Division.

And that will mean City can go to Maine Road in a relaxed mood to tackle Manchester City on the last day of the season. With two games left, starting at home to Stoke tonight, Oldham have to win both to surpass York's present 50-point tally. It's exactly the same scenario for Wycombe, who tomorrow entertain play-off stalkers Wigan Athletic.

Ironically, York's liberation from relegation peril could come at an Oldham ground where York City caretaker-manager Neil Thompson last played before joining City.

Stoke's season of high expectation has petered out to a mid-table finish, a demise that should work in favour of the Lancashire side, whose own recent mini-revival has been stalled by successive defeats to Gillingham and Walsall.

Oldham though have to contend with having one of the worst home records in Division Two.

City boss Thompson however was taking nothing for granted. He was not expecting the club, where he was on loan before subsequently coming to Bootham Crescent also on loan from Barnsley just over a year ago, to do the Minstermen any favours.

Said the caretaker chief: "The result at Chesterfield yesterday was helpful, but we cannot prepare for Manchester City other than in the right way. If we need to get a result there then we have to be right to make sure we get a result. We want to finish the season on a high note and we can't always rely on others."

However, the City clan are aware that even if Oldham do win tonight Wycombe may yet falter in tomorrow's game in hand against Wigan.

Wigan, just two points adrift of Bournemouth in the battle for the final play-off place, desperately need to get something from Adams Park after their fifth game in ten days ended in a goal-less draw at home to Burnley yesterday.

With an eye on the future City today gave another trial to Northern League hot-shot John Milner in the penultimate reserves' game at home to Rotherham.

The 24-year-old Milner has fired more than 60 goals this season for Bedlington terriers, who tackle Tiverton Town in the FA Vase final at Wembley in just 13 days' time.

City also gave a run-out to former Kilmarnock midfielder Graham Mackay.

Elsewhere in the division tonight, champagne and celebrations provide the double brew at Craven Cottage. Champions Fulham will entertain runners-up Walsall, who guaranteed their ascent into the First Division alongside Kevin Keegan's men with a 3-1 win over Oldham.

City will take a 1,500-strong army to Maine Road for the sell-out clash against Manchester City, which will provide the Second Division's biggest gate of the season of over 33,000.

The entire York allocation of 1,509 tickets have been sold for the game for which there are now no tickets left, confirmed City secretary Keith Usher.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.