York City skipper Steve Agnew believes the only way is up for York City thanks to the club's new twin propellers.

Former Dundee United hit man Alex Mathie capped his home debut with the winning goal in Friday night's 2-1 win over Mansfield Town.

Winger Kieron Durkan, on a month-long loan from Macclesfield Town, also played his part on his full debut by crossing for David McNiven's first-half equaliser and catching then eye with a number of surging runs.

Now Agnew believes with another week's training under their belt before Saturday's trip to Southend the newcomers and City can go from strength to strength.

"Alex has looked lively in training, and around the box I think he gives us that dimension now where we know if it goes in he is capable of scoring goals," he said.

"But they both give us positive things going forward. Keiron has got pace, he can cross balls with either foot while Alex is a goalscorer, as his career has shown.

"I am sure once they have settled down into a pattern with the team they can only improve."

Agnew, who crossed the ball for Mathie's winner on Friday and was unlucky not to score his second of the season with a curling effort that came back off the bar, admitted the win was desperately needed after four successive defeats.

"It was nice to get to three points. I think it was vital with the start we have had," he conceded.

"We had been working hard in training all week on different things and it worked well."

And he hailed the spirit of the side which had to come back from an early goal and the loss of full-back Wayne Hall to injury midway through the second-half.

"Conceding an early goal wasn't what we planned but to be fair the lads showed a lot of character to get back into it.

"That was evident again when Wayne went off. Graham Potter went in at left-back and David McNiven went out wide and even though he isn't a natural wide player he showed some nice touches."