Look to the skies will be the watch-phrase for York City as they endeavour to thrill at Gillingham.

The Minstermen have been placed on havens above alert by manager Alan Little, who expects their Kent hosts to launch an aerial bombardment in tomorrow's tussle at the Priestfield Stadium.

And provided City can match the expected blitz then they can maintain their excellent sequence of six games undefeated at the Gills' fortress, added Little.

Naming an unchanged team for the trip south Little said: "Gillingham are a big and powerful side, who try to exploit the pace of Carl Asaba and especially the height of their central defenders.

"They are a major influence at set-pieces and that's where the most danger will come from. So we will have to be strong. We will have to batten down the hatches and compete. If we do that then we can go on to get something from the game."

The clash pits two of the division's in-form striking pairs in direct opposition.

Gillingham, who ceded their 17-game unbeaten run at Walsall last week, boast Asaba and Robert Taylor, who cost a combined fee of £1.1million to lure them to the Priestfield Stadium this season.

City's dashing duo are Richard Cresswell - bracketed in the '£1million and above' mark - and the revived Rodney Rowe. Between them they have shared all of City's last five goals before the blank outcome at home to Preston a week ago.

The City leader believes his operators will have the edge, their mobility vital in terrorising the home defence. "They can be turned by sharp movement and running. Will they be able to handle Cresswell and Rowe?"

Meanwhile, a vote of confidence has been placed in City wideman Gordon Connelly, whose recent form has suffered a wobble. Said Little: "Sometimes we forget how young Gordon is and that he has not played so many games on the bounce before.

"He's not having the best of times, but even if things don't go right for him he doesn't half work hard. No one could accuse him of not having the work ethic. He has scored goals and done his bit. He is a strong character and has determination. He will come through this."

Gillingham have suffered a double suspension blow. Central midfielders Andy Hessenthaler and Paul Smith are both banned. John Hodge and Mark Saunders are on stand-by.

Meanwhile, the Gills' top target-man Asaba has enjoyed the high-life since being re-united with his former Brentford striking ally Taylor.

Between them they have shared 18 goals, Asaba firing 13. But so far he has yet to open his account for 1999, a blank run City will be hoping to extend against the record £600,000 man.

City intermediates are at home to Darlington in the North-east Conference tomorrow, at York University, kick-off 11am.

Two-match ban for Tinks

York City midfielder Mark Tinkler was today handed a two-match ban for his dismissal against Preston last Saturday.

He will miss the home games against Reading on January 23, and Oldham the following Saturday. He received a two-match suspension because it was his second dismissal this season following his red card in the FA Cup match at Wrexham.

Meanwhile, young lions Alan Pouton and Andy Warrington are roaring again in training.

Pouton has been out of action since October with a deep-seated ankle bone injury, while Warrington is recovering from a broken hand sustained in the FA Cup win over Enfield six weeks ago.

"It's been like a breath of fresh air to see 'Pouts' smacking the ball about with no fear," said manager Alan Little. "It's like having a new player. And Andy has been taking full impact shots on his hand."

Both could figure in the reserves' clash against Scarborough at Bootham Crescent next Wednesday.

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