Bolton wanderers v York City: Out to emulate York's greatest day on road

But after watching Bolton in midweek, Minstermen's manager Gary Mills is confident his current charges can repeat the achievement of 1955.

Then, Syd Storey and Billy Fenton gave York a 2-0 win at Bloomfield Road against a Blackpool side featuring England duo Matthews and Stan Mortensen.

Today, the task facing York is every bit as difficult at the Reebok Stadium, despite Mills being unimpressed by what he saw on Wednesday as Bolton were held to a 1-1 Premier League draw by Wigan Athletic.

"It will be 11 against 11 and I've got some good players as well who will go there with the belief we can win," said European Cup-winner Mills ahead of today's trip.

Just under 5,000 York fans will be making the journey, hoping they will not have to endure the horrendous conditions which greeted them at this stage last season when they battled through blizzards en route to a 3-1 third round defeat at Stoke City.

Mills hopes the experience of having played against Tony Pulis's side will have benefited those involved today and he added:

"It's incredible we are taking so many fans and it sends shivers down my spine.

"We don't want to let down those fans in any shape or form and we're not going there just for the day out. I wouldn't bother going if that was our approach – we're going there to win."

Provided international clearance has been obtained, Mills may have new striker Jamie Reed, whom he once had on loan at previous club Tamworth, in action today.

York have paid an undisclosed fee for the 23-year-old 17-goal Bangor City striker, who has signed a two-and-a-half year contract and who is a Wales semi-professional international, having played in both the United States and Australia.

Captain Chris Smith and midfield player Andre Boucaud have also extended their contracts until the summer of 2013 and Ashley Chambers's loan from Leicester will last until the end of the season with the view to a permanent deal with the Blue Square Premier club. Bolton's Tamir Cohen is expected back from compassionate leave following the death of his father.