Thornley's calf injury has kept him out of the last three games and has not healed for him to play in the last game of the season at Woodley Sports on Saturday.

That means Ben Price will again be in goal for City, and despite a couple of costly errors, the Carnforth Rangers keeper has impressed boss Barrie Stimpson.

He said: "Ben Price has done very well since he has come in. We will be inviting him to come back next year to work with Mark Thornley, who has committed to at least another season.

"Ben has got plenty of good attributes, but also a few rough edges. I hope that Mark will be able to give us a good season but also that Ben can learn from him as well – and he looks like he is willing to learn.

"Ben would be disappointed with the goal he conceded on Saturday, he may have got away with that in North Lancs but the striker was on to it in a flash."

At the time of going to press, City could still catch 10th-placed Rossendale, who were at home to Bridlington on Thursday night.

But with little more than pride to play for, Stimpson was not going to risk players with knocks.

Mark Jackson is unlikely to feature after going off early last Saturday while Iain Swan also has a slight injury.

But Neil Marshall will come back in after a two-match ban.

After an impressive performance coming on as a substitute on Saturday, Liam Jeffrey is in line to start at Woodley.

Woodley were due to play at FC United on Wednesday and depending on Bridlington's result on Thursday, could need to beat City to avoid finishing bottom.

Stimpson said: "They are fighting for their lives.

"We owe it to Bridlington to try and beat Woodley and give them a proper game. We are not going there to make the numbers up."

And City will not want a repeat of the first game at Woodley, or the first half of Saturday's 1-1 draw with Rossendale.

Stimpson said: "When we went there, I thought it was one of the worst performances of the season.

"I won't expect a first half performance like last week. I tore into them at half-time and I don't do that that often, no matter how people might perceive me as a person.

* LANCASTER City's presentation night will be held at the Dolly blue Tavern on May 3 from 7.30pm.