Forceful front-runner Richard Cresswell has been detailed with extracting the most from a rough-house mission at Bristol Rovers.

Cresswell, who has not started a game since the home defeat by Millwall more than six weeks ago, has won the vote to step into the injury-stricken boots of Marco Gabbiadini.

He will lead the York City attack tonight alongside Rodney Rowe when the Minstermen aim to take a big step to their most immediate target - 50 points. Victory at the Memorial Ground, which Rovers share with Bristol Rugby Union Club, will attain that goal.

Cresswell's inclusion is at the expense of Jonathan Greening, his friend and fellow young gun, who replaced Gabbiadini in the closing stages against Wycombe.

It is precisely Cresswell's more direct and strength-linked style that gave him the edge, insisted manager Alan Little.

"Tonight will be all about running down and grinding down the Bristol defence. It is a big ugly place, a roughed up pitch that is big and wide and does not have much of an atmosphere.

"It will not be a night for classic easy-flowing football. It could be a roughhouse of a game."

Little also recalled that in the corresponding fixture last season, which City drew, it was the bristling approach of Cresswell and Neil Campbell that greatly unsettled the Pirates' defence. But for better finishing City could have had a hat-ful of goals.

That last sentiment sounds so familiar this term, a fact acknowledged by the City manager.

"That's been the biggest problem throughout the entire season - finishing the chances we have created. That's why I brought in Gabbiadini.

"It was a gamble to bring him here to get the goals. But now he is out injured."

City were lifted at least by the declaration of Graeme Murty being fit to play despite being hampered by a stomach muscle injury, that may well be revealed to be an hernia.

So for the first time this season, indeed the first time in his City career spanning almost a year and 52 consecutive appearances, Mark Tinkler drops to the bench.

The impressive impact made by Alan Pouton, Tinkler's second-half replacement against Wigan, has clinched the Geordie live-wire a start in his preferred central slot alongside Steve Bushell.

"Tinkler is tired and needs a bit of a rest," said Little. "Pouts showed he is fresh and ready to take people on and that could also have a big say for us tonight.

"After our last two results we need to get to 50 points as soon as possible.

"If we can do that in the next two away games at Bristol tonight and Preston on Saturday, then we can take another look at the rest of the season and see just how many points we can pile up.

"We have been too inconsistent results-wise to think we can definitely get into the play-offs. But there's still 30 points to go for. A lot can happen yet."

Rovers' own play-off tilt underwent a severe bruising three days ago when they crashed 2-0 to visiting Northampton Town.

Home has been the heartache for the Pirates. They have lost seven times on the Memorial ground. Only Luton have lost more games in the Second Division on home ground this season.

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