YORK City boss Chris Brass reckons his Minstermen are back on track and on the rise again.

City brought a run of three defeats to an end with last night's 1-1 draw with Darlington at Bootham Crescent.

The point garnered from their first stalemate of the season was not enough to stop City from dropping down two places to eighth in the Division Three table.

However, Brass was more concerned about City's performance and the manner in which they bounced back after a particularly poor display against Yeovil last Saturday.

"We've stopped the rot and ultimately it was a much better performance," said a relieved Brass.

"We were positive, played the ball about well and created chances.

"The players showed their character and did what was asked of them and that was to give a good account of themselves in front of the fans at home.

"They have answered one or two critics and I was very pleased with the performance.

"There were a lot of positives to come out of the game and while we are disappointed not to take all three points we are more pleased with the way we applied ourselves.

"The feeling in the dressing room is certainly a lot happier than it has been in previous weeks."

Brass made good his pledge to wield the axe last night.

Darren Dunning and Liam George were both recalled at the expense of Richard Hope and assistant player-coach Lee Nogan.

Leigh Wood was moved back into the defence while Brass also tinkered with City's formation with Lee Bullock pushed up alongside George and Aron Wilford in attack.

"Leigh gave a great account of himself and he will have a run of games now. I thought he played ever so well," enthused Brass.

"It was a selection decision on my part to put Leigh in while Lee (Nogan) was struggling with a slight chest infection.

"But we were always going to make changes and it is something we discussed.

"The three lads up front did very well and it is unfortunate Lee is out of the side but because of a good performance, like anybody else, he will struggle to get back in."

Brass said he was "disappointed" City were not awarded a free-kick for a foul on Wilford in the build-up to Darlington's equaliser on the stroke of half-time.

"We got sucker-punched," he said. "They went up the other end and scored and that is something we will have to learn from."

Having stopped the rot, Brass is looking for City to return to winning ways against Bristol Rovers on Saturday.

"I thought it was perhaps going to be four wins, four losses and four draws, so who knows?" he joked.

"But we are at home again and as long as we are as positive on Saturday as we have been against Darlington then I'm sure we'll be okay."

Updated: 11:15 Wednesday, September 17, 2003