CLAYTON Donaldson insisted York City had nothing to fear ahead of Monday's derby home clash against fellow play-off hopefuls Halifax Town (3pm).

The Shaymen were fortunate 1-0 winners at home to City in a televised Sky clash back in August and have still not tasted Conference defeat in their own stadium this season.

But on their travels, Chris Wilder's men have only won six of their 19 matches and Minstermen striker Donaldson believes his team-mates, despite winning just one of their last six fixtures, can take encouragement from the last meeting between the two sides.

He said: "There's nothing to fear at all. We know we should have beaten them.

"They got a penalty, which was disappointing, but we had more possession, more chances and were all over them. Even their manager said we were unlucky not to get three points."

Donaldson, 22, was born and bred in West Yorkshire and spent one month on loan at Halifax from Hull City in February 2004.

He was on the losing side in each of the four games he played in, including an FA Cup exit at Margate, and was hoping a big crowd will help City defeat his former club this afternoon.

Donaldson said: "I'm from Bradford so Halifax is just round the corner and I know some of their players. There's nothing better than playing in a derby at home and, from now until the end of the season, we need all our fans' support because when there's a lot of them it gives players more confidence and can help us get through games."

Having taken six points from a possible 18, Donaldson is also firm in his opinion about what City now need to achieve in their final three games against top-five outfits Halifax, Stevenage and Hereford to keep alive their play-off chances.

He added: "Looking at the league, all three games are must-wins. We can't drop any points but all the players are still confident and want to give it a real good go."

Left-back Dave Merris was likely to be given his first start since January today in place of Nathan Peat, who is suspended following his red card at Cambridge.

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

Full report and pictures in Tuesday's Evening Press

Updated: 10:21 Monday, April 17, 2006