YORK City head to Morecambe for Tuesday night's televised Nationwide Conference clash on a high after Saturday's crowd-pleasing 3-1 defeat of Stevenage Borough.

Bootham Crescent hosted a game high on entertainment and action but it is only the beginning, said City player-manager Brass, who scored the third goal himself after coming on as substitute with ten minutes to go.

He said: "I've said I want to bring people in who are going to be proud to wear the red shirt of York and I think that's what I'm starting to get. They're starting to believe in themselves.

"We're only at the start of the journey in my opinion and we've got to make sure we continue that level of performance and certainly the spirit that will keep us getting the opportunity to progress."

The victory lifted the Minstermen up to 13th in the table as the team showed a new level of confidence and self-belief as they successfully defended an early lead.

It also ended a long spell of unconverted chances with strikers Andy Bishop and Lee Nogan both getting on the score sheet, and Brass recognised the seeds of potential in the display.

He said: "The pleasing thing is that we know we've a springboard to build from and we have players that are well capable of maintaining that level of performance and if we continue to do that, we have got a realistic opportunity.

"We can't rest on our laurels and think well look we've had half a dozen decent games, it's a big long season - it's a marathon not a sprint.

"By the same token, for all that the first six games were disappointing, it's important that you don't go into your shell and think 'oh no we're not going to get out of this'.

"We've certainly shown a lot of character to come back in recent weeks and be able to give the level of performances that we have.

"We were disappointed against Leigh and Northwich but we still had the lions' share of possession.

"Today, thankfully, we have been able to convert our chances so with that comes the belief that you can score, that you can get three goals in a game. It's nice to win by two goals, when you're not winning games by 1-0, it's nice to get a comfortable scoreline. It definitely breeds confidence."

The squad completed the Stevenage game injury-free but assistant manager Nogan was having difficulty breathing and will have checks to make sure he is not harbouring a chest infection before tomorrow night's trip to Morecambe.

Barnet remain top of the Conference despite being held 2-2 at home by Woking which allowed Carlisle United to move up to second spot on goal difference - just a point behind - after substitute Craig Farrell's 84th minute goal beat Crawley Town at Brunton Park.

It was the Cumbrians' fourth win on the bounce.

Gerry Harrison, released by City last week, played the full 90 minutes for Northwich Victoria in their 2-2 home draw with Dagenham & Redbridge.

Because City are in action at Morecambe tomorrow night tonight's reserve game against Scunthorpe United at Bootham Crescent has been called off.

City juniors lost 2-1 at Rochdale in the Youth Alliance Cup first round. Kane Ashcroft was the City scorer.

Former City coach Luther Blissett, 46, has been tipped to step in to management with Ryman Premier strugglers Dover Athletic.

Last season Blissett was doing some coaching with Portsmouth.

Updated: 09:40 Monday, October 04, 2004