YORK City boss Billy McEwan is hoping the deteriorating pitch at KitKat Crescent can withstand two games in four days.

The Minstermen are scheduled to entertain Southport on Tuesday night after today's home meeting with Grays Athletic but manager Billy McEwan is worried that both matches might not go ahead.

A blocked drain has been discovered under the pitch and a frustrated McEwan has admitted that the current heavy surface is not conducive to his team's style of football.

The City manager said: "The pitch has affected us. Earlier in the season, we were pasting teams on it when we were going at sides and doing really well but it has got heavy and that has had an impact although it's the same for both teams so we are not using it as an excuse.

"The pitch has been allowed to deteriorate over the years along with the club because it has not had any money spent on it. We need to spend £30,000 on it to prevent losing more money over coming years because of postponements.

"We have to speculate to accumulate but we have not got that money to spend. Investment in the pitch is needed so if there's anybody out there with a few bob we will not turn them away. We need it sorting out because it's getting quite serious now as there are a lot of costs involved with postponing games."

City's postponed trip to Dagenham and Redbridge has been rearranged for Tuesday, March 7.

Updated: 10:07 Saturday, January 21, 2006