YORK City winger Martyn Woolford will be looking to give Bristol City a thorough examination this afternoon having undergone testing times of his own this week.

Preparations for one of the biggest games of his career so far were put on ice on this week while he sat an exam towards his surveying qualification.

But with that now out of the way, he will be fully focussed on today's challenge, and manager Billy McEwan is confident that giving the youngster the leeway to continue his course will pay dividends.

He said: "Martyn Woolford had to miss part of training on Thursday because he is doing a degree and he had to sit an exam. He was doing that before he came to York and he is going to be a qualified surveyor.

"It would have been better if it was a Monday or Tuesday but these things can't be helped sometimes and it's better to have that than say he can't do it and have him or his dad say he can't play."

McEwan is renowned for his hard-line approach to discipline and punctuality, but conceded that there is a need for greater flexibility at Conference level.

"You've got to do that at this level a wee bit," he said. "Down here, you've got to come and go a little bit because kids travel from Darlington and Sunderland and Hull and we have got to give them a wee bit of time."

And as far as McEwan is concerned, the learning doesn't just take place in the classroom.

The prospect of a win today with all the trimmings - £16,000 cash and a step closer to a profitable third-round tie - is clearly the biggest incentive on the table.

But by simply playing against opposition of the calibre of Bristol City, McEwan believes it will give his players a chance to develop, just as he benefited from playing against some of Europe's top sides in pre-season friendlies as a player.

Prior to today's game, a minute's silence will be held up and down the country for Remembrance Day.

Should City overcome their Bristol counterparts, the draw for the second round is taking place tomorrow at 3.10pm, broadcast live on BBC1 and Sky Sports News.

Former England cricket stars Graham Gooch and Mike Gatting will be making the draw with Sir Trevor Brooking hosting proceedings, and the number to look out for will be 25.

Among the lowest ranked clubs left in the competition are Farsley Celtic who tackle MK Dons at Throstle Nest tomorrow (3pm).

The Nationwide North side are managed by former Bradford City boss Lee Sinnott, whose assistant is John Deacey, the former Harrogate Town hero.

Another Wetherby Roader in the current Farsley squad is midfielder Dominic Krief.