York City 2, Tamworth 0

As he walked off the pitch, City boss Brass squirted his water bottle in jubilation after ending a seven-month and seven-day wait for a victory with a 2-0 defeat of Tamworth thanks to goals from home debutants Paul Groves and Paul Robinson.

His joy and relief were understandable.

The last time City had won a match, the Christmas decorations had just come down and Brass' New Year's resolution was to stay in Division Three play-off contention.

But a desolate, record-breaking run without three points followed that January 10 triumph against Carlisle and cost the club its proud 75-year Football League status.

A measure of the rebuilding programme Brass has undertaken since that distant success over this season's Conference favourites is provided by the fact that only City's player-boss and midfield dynamo Darren Dunning, from last night's starting line-up, played in the club's previous victory.

Both played instrumental roles in the triumph against Tamworth with Brass proving his versatility in a right-midfield position that has become vacant because of Kevin Donovan's injury and Gary Pearson's suspension.

Dunning, meanwhile, controlled the middle of the park in tandem with Groves, who complimented an excellent goal with a polished performance.

It took a moment of maverick magic from Robinson though to settle any home nerves and make the points safe.

The former Newcastle United striker created space for his first City goal in stylish fashion with an exquisite flick using the outside of his right boot and, from that moment, the long overdue victory was never in doubt.

It was a professional performance from City although part-timers Tamworth did, admittedly, provide fuel for the experts who stress that there are two divisions within the Conference.

The Staffordshire side fell well below the standards set by Aldershot during Saturday's 2-0 defeat at the Recreation Ground.

Aldershot's display was as good as those given by three-quarters of the Football League teams that City faced last season while none of the visiting Division Three clubs were quite as poor as Tamworth.

Steve Davis (twice) and Andy Bishop had both gone close before the visitors enjoyed their first sight of goal after 13 minutes, Tamworth striker Neil Ross racing clear but volleying over.

Two minutes later, City went ahead when a Brass throw-in found its way to Robinson on the edge of the area.

He laid the ball off for Groves whose left-footed, first-time shot crashed into the top corner from 20 yards.

Seconds later, the 38-year-old midfielder headed a better chance over the crossbar when he met Dunning's corner at the near post.

Teenage winger Bryan Stewart should then have done better than fire wide a half-volley from 15 yards and Andy Bishop blazed over from six yards after a dangerous Brass cross.

City mistakes appeared to be Tamworth's best chance of a route back into the game.

A Chris Clarke error gave Tristram Whitman a clear run on goal but the former Scarborough striker shot weakly at Paul Crichton, who was equally as fortunate not to concede a goal when his poor clearance ricocheted in a favourable direction off the backside of Jason Blunt.

Ross then shot narrowly wide from 25 yards early in the second half after a fortuitous deflection off Brass saw the ball fall in his firing range.

But Robinson secured victory for the home team when he left Lambs' defender Aaron Brown looking sheepish after that cheeky flick with the outside of his right boot.

Bishop and Dunning combined to set up the 25-year-old striker, whose low shot from eight yards was helped into the bottom corner by Tamworth goalkeeper Ryan Price's right hand.

It was the innovative manner in which Robinson fashioned the chance for himself though that will have excited City's fans most.

Striking partner Bishop then displayed his own nimble footwork in the visitors' penalty box before firing over from ten yards while Tamworth were denied a consolation when player-boss Mark Cooper was adjudged to have fouled Crichton, as the City 'keeper punched into his own goal and, in the closing stages, Clarke and Dunning were both called upon to make late goal-line clearances.

York City 2 (Groves 15, Robinson 60); Tamworth 0

Crichton 7, Law 7, Davis 7, Clarke 7, Smith 7, Brass 8 (Arthur 90min), Groves 8, Dunning 8, Stewart 7, Robinson 8, Bishop 7 (Yalcin 86)

Subs (not used): Porter, Merris, Nogan

Key: 10 - Faultless; 9 - Outstanding; 8 - Excellent; 7 - Good; 6 - Average; 5 - Below par; 4 - Poor; 3 - Dud; 2 - Hopeless; 1 - Retire

Star man:

Robinson - created first goal, worked hard throughout and settled match with a touch of class

Tamworth: Ryan Price, Karl Johnson (Mark Shaw, 80), Adie Smith, Aaron Brown, Chad Sheppard (Rory May, 68), Marcus Ebdon, Mark Cooper, Scott Stamps, Jason Blunt, Neil Ross, Tristram Whitman. Subs not used: David Bampton, Nick Smith, Mark Turner.

Yellow cards: Ross 17, Stamps 63

Red cards: None

Referee: Paul Canadine (South Yorkshire). Rating: Efficient, made no major mistakes

Attendance: 2,466

Weather watch: Mild summer evening

Game breaker: Robinson's excellently crafted and executed goal to give City an unassailable lead.

Match rating: Encouraging City display but the opposition were poor.

Updated: 11:14 Wednesday, August 18, 2004