BURTON Albion boss Nigel Clough wants to create a cup-tie atmosphere when York City travel to Derbyshire for tomorrow's crunch Conference clash between the two play-off rivals.

The former Nottingham Forest legend has urged fans to turn out in force at the Brewers' Pirelli Stadium as his men look for a win to take fourth place from City.

Clough feels his side, who have crashed into the play-off picture on the back of a number of consistent performances, need a "12th man" to counter City's vocal travelling support.

Burton have been a tough nut to crack in recent weeks - having drawn 0-0 in their last two games, one of those at fellow promotion rivals Oxford United.

Some of that can be put down to their well-travelled goalkeeper. Kevin Poole, goalkeeping coach at Birmingham City, landed at Burton at the start of the campaign.

It's the latest stop in a career which has taken him to nine clubs including Aston Villa, Middlesbrough, Leicester, Birmingham and Bolton.

York will also have to beware the probable return of top scorer Daryl Clare, who has netted 14 times this season, and is likely to be in the starting line-up after recovering from finger and rib injuries.

The 28-year-old Jersey-born striker, a former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international, made his name as a prolific Conference striker at Boston United, helping the Pilgrims to the title in 2001 before moving to Chester City and achieving the same feat with them three years ago.

Also key to the Brewers' chances will be the performance of Burton stalwart Darren Stride - a midfielder-cum-defender who has racked up more than 570 appearances for the club.

Burton could also be boosted by the return of Marc Goodfellow - a former Stoke, Bristol City and Swansea midfielder who is coming back from a broken arm.

Only leaders Dagenham and Redbridge and Morecambe are in better form than Burton, who have not lost in six games, and City will have to be at their "away best" to take three precious points.