YORK City boss Billy McEwan believes his team are embroiled in a five-way fight for two Conference play-off spots.

McEwan feels that Oxford and Morecambe, who both have 75 points and strong goal differences, are now near certainties to secure top-five places below champions Dagenham & Redbridge.

That leaves the Minstermen, Exeter, Gravesend, Burton and Stevenage scrapping it out for the remaining two positions and the City boss hopes the incentive of clinching promotion at the new Wembley stadium can spur his team on in their last three matches.

He said: "I think we are one of five teams battling for two places. Our fans are getting excited and there's a decent chance that we can achieve something if we work hard and stay mentally strong.

"The lads are also buzzing. They've put themselves in a good position and we've spoken to them about where they want to go now as individuals.

"They can go to Wembley and, apart from going there as spectators, they might never get that opportunity again so it's a great goal to aim for. But even though it might seem so near, it's still so far and we can't get carried away."

McEwan believes, however, that City's next two high-octane fixtures against relegation-threatened pair Stafford Rangers and Southport will help focus the minds of his players.

The Minstermen travel to fourth-bottom Stafford tomorrow and, depending on results, could send 23rd-placed Southport down the following Saturday.

McEwan said: "Both teams will be fighting for survival and I think that's a good thing. Sides with nothing to play for can be relaxed and cause you problems.

"We have also not done too well against teams at the bottom this season and, for me, that's been down to complacency, but our players will know Stafford will be up for the game and that's when we are at our best."

McEwan has also called on his side to kill tomorrow's game off if they get the opportunity after feeling that the Minstermen should have beaten Rushden by a heavier scoreline than 3-1 on Tuesday.

He said: "If you can get six or seven like Manchester United did on Wednesday night then you must do it. I lost promotion on goal difference and Rushden could have got back to 3-2 with 20 minutes to go when they should have been out of sight."

The Scotsman has, however, praised the goalscoring efforts of his midfielders this season.

Martyn Woolford (nine) and Steve Bowey (eight) are now approaching double figures after their latest strikes over Easter and McEwan said: "Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard get 20 a season but if you can get six from each midfield player you are doing well.

"To lose our top scorer last season was a blow but we have now equalled the number of goals we scored without the boy (Andy) Bishop. Steve and Martyn have got goals from midfield and Craig Farrell has also chipped in with ten although we feel he can get more as he develops."


Tomorrow's squads

Stafford Rangers (probable): Duggan, Sutton, Daniel, McAughtrie, Talbott, Gibson, Lovatt, Murphy, Griffith, Madjo, Grayson. Subs from: White, Reid, Murray, Edwards, Alcock, Gibson.

York CITY (probable): Evans, Purkiss, McGurk, Parslow, James, Woolford, Bishop, Panther, Bowey, Farrell, Donaldson. Subs: Gamble, Greenwood, Brodie, Convery, Lloyd.

Referee: Colin Harwood (Manchester).

KICK-OFF: 3pm.