Parslow planning for a double celebration

The Minstermen go into the final-day trip to Dagenham & Redbridge as one of seven teams in danger of making the drop.

A point will be enough to keep York up, though no-one in Nigel Worthington’s squad is taking anything for granted against a team who need to win to guarantee their own place in next season’s League Two.

Parslow, named Clubman of the Year for a third time after missing just one league game this term, said: “If selected, it will be great to make it to 300 games.

“But, more importantly, we need to stay in the League. That is what the final day is all about. It is incredible that we are not safe (with 52 points). But that is how it is.

“We just have to concentrate on ourselves and if we do that then we will be all right. I feel confident. It would have been great to wrap it up against Southend (who York beat last Saturday) but teams are scrapping for their lives and points.”

Amid all the various possible permutations of results at the foot of League Two, one thing is guaranteed – whoever goes down will do so with a record points tally.

The previous highest total for a relegated side is the 49 points that Oxford United went down with in 2006. Lincoln City (1987), Scarborough (1999) and Exeter City (2003) also crashed into the Conference with 48, a total that even rock bottom Aldershot Town – who thanks to an inferior goal difference seem destined for the drop – have already matched this term.

Parslow added: “Our results have been good. Getting that first win was huge, as from there the confidence grew and our match winners are looking a threat every time we got forward.

“Speaking as a defensive player, that takes so much pressure off us. It gives us a breather in games.

“We played well against Southend. It was always going to be a bit tetchy towards the end because it was such an important game. But we got the three points, which turned out to be vital because of how the other results went.

“Hopefully, come next week we can put to bed this tough, tough season.”

Parslow will today join an elite band of just 19 players who have made 300-plus appearances for York. Out of contract in the summer, the 27-year-old former Cardiff City junior is also hoping there will be many more in the future.

He added: “I would love to stay. Nothing has been said yet. There are more important things to worry about. We have to make sure the club’s future is sorted. Let’s get that all important result and then everything else can be sorted out.”

Such is the huge interest in today’s trip to Dagenham, York quickly sold out their 1,204 ticket allocation earlier this week and will be well backed when they seek out the result they need.

A further boost for Worthington is loanee Adam Reed, who has netted twice in five appearances, having recovered from the hip problem that saw the midfielder forced out of last weekend’s victory over Southend.