LONG-TIME leaders Aldershot will arrive at York City tomorrow knowing defeat could see them surrender the initiative in the Blue Square Premier title race.

Saturday's 1-0 home defeat to Forest Green - the Shots' first Recreation Ground reverse in almost five months - saw the gap at the top reduced to six points.

Stevenage and Torquay head the chasing pack and, with both sides having a game in hand on Gary Waddock's men and boasting superior goal differences, the championship contest could take a crucial twist at KitKat Crescent.

The Hampshire club are reported to have wobbled defensively in recent matches and are without a clean sheet during their last five outings.

Any problems at the back could also be exacerbated by the absence of centre-back Anthony Charles against the Minstermen.

Ex-Barnet defender Charles will be serving a one-match ban, although the visitors' midfield will be bolstered by the triple return of Lewis Chalmers, Scott Davies and Kirk Hudson.

Chalmers and on-loan Reading teenager Davies are available after serving suspensions of their own with the latter sidelined for four games after being shown two red cards in three fixtures.

Ex-Bournemouth player Hudson is back after injury and illness problems but Ryan Williams and Ryan Scott remain long-term absentees.

Right-back Rob Gier, dropped for the Forest Green match, is also expected to receive a recall.

Despite Saturday's defeat, Aldershot's record of 20 victories from 27 matches cannot be matched by any other team in the division and, on their travels, they have won five out of their last six games.

Ex-Halifax and Hereford striker John Grant is the Shots' biggest goal threat with 17 for the season, although he has not scored in the league since December 8.

Jonny Dixon is likely to continue as Grant's striking partner with former City loan signing Rob Elvins on the bench.

Elvins has managed just four goals in 22 games for the Shots since his summer switch from West Brom but was on target in the last meeting between the two clubs in mid-September when the Minstermen lost 2-0.


Match facts: City v Aldershot

* This is Aldershot's fourth visit in the Conference. In 2004-05 they won 2-0 but they have lost on their two subsequent trips.

* In February 2006, Mark Convery, Andy Bishop and Clayton Donaldson scored in a 3-2 City win and in the corresponding game last term Convery netted the only goal.

* The line-up on October 6, 2006 was: Evans, Craddock, Parslow, Foster, Peat, Convery, Bowey, Panther, Woolford (McMahon), Farrell (Bishop), Donaldson.

* The original Aldershot club made 22 Football League visits, winning five times and drawing six. City's biggest win was 4-0 in 1981-82 and 1982-83.

* Players to have appeared for both clubs include Ian McDonald, Malcolm Crosby, Dale Banton, Adrian Randall and Ray Warburton.

It happened on January 26

1952: Alf Patrick hit a hat-trick in a 5-0 home win over Oldham Athletic. Billy Fenton netted the other two in front of 9,02.

1985: Keith Houchen netted a late penalty as City beat Arsenal 1-0 at Bootham Crescent in the fourth round of the FA Cup. The crowd was 10,840 and the line-ups were: City: Astbury, Senior, Hay, Sbragia, MacPhail, Haslegrave, Ford, Butler, Walwyn, Houchen, Pearce; Arsenal: Lukic, Anderson, Sansom, Talbot, O'Leary, Caton, Robson, Williams, Mariner, Woodcock, Nicholas (Allinson).

1991: 20-year-old Dean Kiely made his Football League debut in goal in 0-0 home draw against Hartlepool United.

Stats: David Batters