GAINSBOROUGH Trinity striker Jon Rowan almost became a York City player last summer but now he is hoping to dump the Minstermen out of the FA Cup.

Rowan spent the full pre-season training with City in readiness for the 2004-2005 Conference campaign, featuring in the club's friendlies.

But then manager Chris Brass was unable to offer the former Grimsby Town forward a permanent contract after he had been released by the Mariners.

The 23-year-old striker has since drifted out of the professional game and now combines working in a DIY superstore with playing part-time for City's FA Cup fourth qualifying round opponents a week on Saturday.

Gainsborough booked a home meeting with the Minstermen last night after seeing off fellow Conference North mid-table outfit Leigh RMI 2-1 at their 4,000-capacity Northolme Ground.

Rowan surprisingly watched the game from the bench despite scoring two crucial goals in the previous round against Goole.

Nigerian-born striker Stanley Undenkwor, who has a Polish passport and was most recently playing his football in Azerbaijan, partnered former Scarborough, Chesterfield and Carlisle front man David Reeves. But Rowan is hoping to play against City next weekend.

He said of his brief fling with York: "I have been left, right and centre since then and football is a harsh world really.

"I ended up spending the second half of last season at Kettering where I got my love for the game back but the travelling from Grimsby was getting to me.

"I am working in a DIY store and I'm out in the real world now. It's a different way of living and I would love to get back into professional football but the main thing is I want to enjoy my football, which I am doing."

Goals from Richard Pell and Charlie Trout earned Gainsborough victory with Leigh getting a stoppage-time consolation from Neil Smith.

Trinity, who were members of the Football League from 1893 to 1912, last played in the first round proper of the FA Cup in 2003 and were beaten 7-1 at Brentford.

Rowan admitted the Lincolnshire side face a tough challenge to reach the same stage this time around.

He said: "It's a great tie and very welcome revenue for the club. We will be looking to get through but, having been there, I look out for York's results and Billy McEwan has got them going great guns.

"It will be one hell of a hard game, probably the hardest draw we could have had, but hopefully we can give them a good game. I have actually seen them a couple of times and they work hard for each other.

"They are a young team and have got goals in them. I know Bish (Andy Bishop) quite well from last year and it's nice to see him scoring but hopefully he won't against us next week."

Former York City player-manager Chris Brass has re-joined Conference North side Harrogate Town for a second loan spell. He was recalled from Town last month part-way through his first loan period with the Wetherby Roaders.

Updated: 10:23 Wednesday, October 12, 2005