MORECAMBE boss Sammy McIlroy says his side's play-off clash with York City is going to hinge on "pivotal moments".

The former Manchester United legend and Northern Ireland boss leads the Shrimps into KitKat Crescent tonight warning a close tie is on the cards.

It is the second time in succession McIlroy has secured Morecambe a play-off berth and he believes the experience of last year's 4-3 defeat in extra time over two legs to Hereford might give his side the edge.

But with York and Morecambe having met in three tight duels already this year, McIlroy says he is expecting more of the same at KitKat Crescent and at Christie Park on Monday.

"We have had very close games with York this season and I can't see anything changing. I am expecting it to be tight.

"There will be some pivotal moments in the games and hopefully they will go our way and we can get the luck which takes us through," he said.

"We have got a lot more experience than last year and the players will realise that situations which happened then will happen again. We hope they can deal with them.

"York have been consistent and thereabouts all year. They are a young side but it is about what happens on the night. Anything can happen but experience can help."

McIlroy said he was delighted midfielder, and Shrimps dangerman, Michael Twiss was back after missing a chunk of the season with a knee injury.

And he revealed Morecambe would not be sitting back tonight but would be looking to take a win back to Lancashire.

He said: "Michael Twiss' return is a massive boost. He is fit. He's raring to go. He has played a couple of behind-closed-doors games and against Grays and he does quite well against York.

"We will be going to win the game. We don't know any other way of playing than going for victory.

"We will not win or lose the tie at York. We will go out trying to win and it will be the same at Christie Park."