YORK City will be aiming to become the first team to win at Grays Athletic for more than three-and-a-half months in tonight's FA Trophy second round replay.

The Essex Club are unbeaten at their Recreation Ground since October 9 - a seven-match sequence that includes six wins and a draw.

Blue Square Premier promotion hopefuls Cambridge United were seen off 2-1 on Saturday while table-topping Aldershot were also beaten by the same scoreline in Grays' previous home outing.

Justin Edinburgh's men have also defeated Lewes in the FA Cup and FA Trophy in front of their fans and overcome Farsley (1-0) and Northwich (3-1) in the league.

In fact, from the last seven visitors to Grays, only Ebbsfleet have managed to hold the home team in a 1-1 draw on Boxing Day.

Grays also still boast the division's second meanest defence behind Cambridge.

The Essex club have shipped 26 goals in 26 matches while Cambridge have conceded 24.

But the charges led by Edinburgh are without a clean sheet in four fixtures and speculation is growing that inspirational centre-back Jon Ashton is about to follow former captain Stuart Thurgood out of the club and join ex-manager Mark Stimson at Gillingham.

Grays will also need to decide whether Ross Flitney reclaims his place from England under-19 international David Button in goal.

Button, 18, made an impressive debut against the Minstermen in the first Trophy meeting between the two clubs although Edinburgh had indicated he would recall Flitney before opting for the on-loan Spurs stopper against Cambridge.

At the other end of the pitch, Grays will be hoping the acquisition of forward Scott Taylor from MK Dons will improve their fortunes in front of goal.

The 2005 and 2006 Trophy winners have only netted 28 times in the league this season with Woking (25), Stafford (21) and Northwich (21) the only teams to boast lower tallies.


Match facts: Grays v City

* This is City's first cup trip to Grays. They have not lost on their three Conference visits to the ground.

It happened on January 22

1949: A 3-3 draw at Carlisle United and City were sixth in Division Three North. The scorers were Matt Patrick (2) and George Ivey.

1977: Chris Galvin, who was on loan from Hull City, scored both goals in a 2-1 home win over Crystal Palace watched by 3,427. City remained bottom of Division Three (League One).

1993: City drew their sixth successive League game when their match at Colchester United ended goal-less and were second in Division Three (League Two).

1994: City's last ever visit to Leeds Road resulted in a 3-2 defeat against Huddersfield Town. Paul Barnes netted both goals and City were tenth in Division Two (League One).

2002: A 0-0 draw at Bootham Crescent against Rochdale in front of 2,317. It was the tenth League without victory and the club were second bottom in Division Three (League Two).

2005: Andy Bishop scored from the penalty spot in a 1-0 victory over Morecambe. The attendance was 2,270 and City were 17th in the Conference.

David Batters