Match-winner Lee Nogan believes new and improved York City are now nobody's pushovers.

The former Welsh international striker bagged his first goal in City colours in the midweek victory over Southend United.

Tomorrow at Mansfield he will be helping to stretch the Minstermen's unbeaten run to five games and cap a dramatic turnaround in fortunes for the club since his arrival.

Nogan's debut against Exeter three weeks ago was certainly one he will want to forget; City lost 3-0, slumped to the foot of the Football League while just to rub salt into the wounds he had a goal ruled out for offside.

Nogan reckons a new found belief and confidence has swept through the Bootham Crescent camp since the Grecians' debacle.

And he insists City are no longer likely to buckle under prolonged duress, as has happened on a number of occasions this season.

"When I first came everyone was low which it was bound to be," he recalled.

"But now we have gone four games and everyone is thinking we are not going to get beat. And at the very least, any team that beats us now is going to find it hard work.

"The Exeter game was a bit of a walkover for them in the end but I don't think that will happen again.

"Everyone is working hard for each other, we are cutting out mistakes and with the rub of the green we can carry this run on."

The former Grimsby, Watford, Darlington and Luton frontman was quick to distance himself from all the plaudits however.

"Nick Richardson has also come in and done well and I think getting that first win against Rochdale was so important," he said. "It was a massive win for us because they were going well at the time.

"The ability was there in the players but that win gave us confidence and we have gone on from there."

Nogan, 31, admitted he was delighted to notch his first City goal but insisted points were more important to him than goals.

"It is always pleasing to get off the mark, although I thought I'd done it in my first game to be honest," he said.

"The fact I hadn't scored wasn't really preying on my mind. I would maybe have been worried if I was getting chances and I wasn't putting them away.

"But I wouldn't say I have had too many before Tuesday. The other night was probably the most I have had.

"Obviously, I was pleased to get one and I should have had another. Hopefully, I'll get a few more before the end of the season.

"But as long as we get the results and points then that is more important than who scores."

Nogan admits having played four teams chasing promotion tomorrow's opponents, Mansfield, offer a different proposition.

Having lost their last two outings, the Stags have slumped into mid-table and Nogan believes City will have to be wary of a backlash.

"They will want to bounce back with a vengeance," he reasoned.

"We have just got carry on with what we did at Rochdale and Brighton. There is no quick fix or magic formula. It is down to hard work and everyone knowing what they are doing."

Updated: 13:07 Friday, March 09, 2001