Striker-seeking York City are poised to lose out in the pursuit of rangy front-man Andy Preece.

Manager Alan Little today confirmed last week's Evening Press exclusive report that City were on the trail of the 31-year-old marksman released from Second Division rivals Blackpool.

But an 11th-hour bid from a Nationwide League First Division outfit looks to have scuppered Little's tilt at recruiting Preece to his attack for the 1998-99 campaign.

Earnest talks were held between Little and Preece at Bootham Crescent, from where the Evesham-born striker left hinting he was ready to link up with the Minstermen. Little believed he had got his man.

But that very night the free agent was contacted by a First Division club, who have since made an attractive offer. The lure of playing in the First Division was expected to prompt Preece to accept the higher offer today.

Declared Little: "I can confirm Preece was one of my targets and I did think he was going to be a York City player.

"He came here, he liked the set-up and believed we had something to offer. We almost had an agreement when he went away from here. But then had a telephone call that evening from a First Division club. His ambition is to play in the First Division and I think that's done me.

"It's a disappointment as he is a proven striker at this level with a record of a goal every three games. His ability to hold up the ball and bring other players in, as well as score, would have given us more combinations, which I am looking for.

"I think he would have been the ideal foil for our current strikers of Rodney Rowe, Neil Tolson and Richard Cresswell."

Coincidentally, Preece bagged both Blackpool goals against City in their brace of League encounters last season - a 1-0 win at Bloomfield Road and then a 1-1 draw at Bootham Crescent just a day after Blackpool released him as one of their highest wage-earners.

Since returning to the professional ranks with Wrexham after an ill-starred start with his first club Northampton, Preece has played in the basement, Second Division, and top-flight with Stockport, Crystal Palace, whom he joined in a £240,000 five years ago, and Blackpool.

Despite those moves he has yet to play in the First Division. That prospect has shattered City's move for the 6ft 1in forward.

City boss Little was today resuming his quest for a striker adding that he had 'two or three' other leads to follow up.

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