YORK City boss Billy McEwan is calling on fans to turn out in their droves for tomorrow's home clash with Conference leaders Accrington Stanley (3pm kick-off).

McEwan is hoping for a crowd of more than 3,000 for a match that he has labelled the weekend's "biggest game in the Conference".

Accrington are 11 points clear at the top of the table but saw a 20-match unbeaten run, stretching back to October, end at lowly Southport on Tuesday night.

John Coleman's faltering side have also only taken two points from their last three matches.

Play-off contenders City, meanwhile, go into the match on the back of four consecutive home victories.

The Minstermen's last KitKat Crescent outing saw a 25 per cent increase in attendance from the previous home clash with 2,902 coming through the turnstiles for a 1-0 victory over Gravesend.

City's last 3,000 plus league gate, aside from the Boxing Day meeting with neighbours Scarborough, came back in October when Canvey Island were defeated 2-1 and the home side were then lying second in the table.

McEwan is hoping that figure can be surpassed again tomorrow and, with remaining KitKat Crescent clashes against Kidderminster, Halifax and Hereford also on the horizon, realises how important big crowds could be during the crucial run-in to the end of the season.

He said: "Our boys are looking forward to tomorrow's match as I am because it gives our little, young football team the chance to pit our wits against the team at the top of the table. It will also give our fans the chance to see how the club is developing and how far we still have to go.

"It's probably the game of the day in the Conference and we want to try to get above 3,000 in the ground. When you get a big crowd, there's a big atmosphere and players can find another level.

"The fans can be our 12th man and we need all the support the people of York can give us tomorrow and for the rest of the season."

McEwan is only expected to consider one change to the side that drew 1-1 at Canvey Island on Saturday with right-back Jamie Price in contention for a starting place.

Price replaced stand-in full-back Stephen Thomas early in the second half at Canvey and also completed 70 minutes during the reserves' 3-0 North Riding Senior Cup victory over Scarborough on Monday night.

The City boss, meanwhile, is making light of any suggestions that now might be a prime time to face Accrington.

He said: "Southport's win was deserved according to my reports and, if you are not right upstairs, the bottom team can beat the top team in this League but I am sure Accrington will be right from the start tomorrow because their manager will have been getting into them this week."

Last night's 5pm transfer deadline passed without any new loan arrivals at KitKat Crescent, leaving McEwan only able to sign a goalkeeper in emergency circumstances between now and the end of the season.

TOMORROW'S SQUADS

City (probable): Porter, Price, Dudgeon, McGurk, Peat, Convery, N Bishop, Panther, Dunning, A Bishop, Donaldson. Subs from: Reid, Thomas, Hotte, O'Neill, Merris, Stewart.

Accrington (probable): Elliot, Cavanagh, Welch, Ventre, Edwards, Todd, Craney, Boco, Roberts, Brown, Mullin. Subs: Boyd, Cook, Alcock, Jagielka, Lodge.

Referee: Shaun Procter-Green (Gainsborough).

kick-off: 3pm

Updated: 10:13 Friday, March 24, 2006