YORK City boss Jackie McNamara has stressed the importance of maintaining his team’s Bootham Crescent momentum.

A 2-1 triumph over Notts County meant the Minstermen enjoyed back-to-back home wins for the first time since last April, having also seen off Stevenage by the same scoreline in their last outing on their own turf.

McNamara’s men have also taken nine points from a possible 12 in front of their own fans with their latest victory, secured by first-half strikes from Michael Coulson and Bradley Fewster despite on-loan Newcastle defender Lubo Satka’s own goal just past the hour, moving them off the bottom of the Football League.

City will now climb above Yeovil and out of the relegation zone if they beat next visitors Exeter on Tuesday night with the former Dundee United chief also recognising the supporters’ contribution to the recent upturn in home fortunes.

He said: “We know our home form is crucial. We’ve won our last two and we’ve now got our game in hand on Tuesday.

“We want to make our home stadium a fortress and it’s fantastic for the players to see the supporters right behind them, but it goes hand-in-hand with the performance on the pitch because the crowd react to that.”

McNamara admitted that he was impressed by his team’s capacity to survive an aerial bombardment from the visitors, who forced a total of 18 corners during the game.

He added: “I was delighted with the win and a massive three points. We spoke about how important they were before the game and I think that was reflected by the number of attacking players we had on the bench.

“They were dominant for the first 20 minutes and we had to withstand a lot of corners, but we dealt with all their high balls into our box well because their superior height advantage was a concern for me before the game. That’s why we left two up at their corners to make sure they had to keep three back.

“We had to clear one or two off the line and Scott made a good save, but we then got a fantastic goal from Michael Coulson with a great finish and that gave us confidence. We started passing the ball and the second goal was a great team effort.

“The second half was a bit scrappy and it was a little nervy when we conceded the own goal but we were the better footballing side.”

McMamara went on to reason that the absence of target-man Vadaine Oliver, who was ruled out by a hip injury, might have forced the team to play more football.

“One player does not dictate how you want to play and we don’t want to play hopeful balls forward and percentage football but, having Brad and Kenny (McEvoy) up there, meant we weren’t going to win a lot of balls in the air, so we had to adapt to that and play to our strengths," McNamara pointed out. "I’ve been trying to get the team to play football since I first came here and our second goal was a prime example of how simple that can be.

“It’s exciting to see players running at people with pace and trying to get in behind people.”

McNamara also made a first-half tactical reshuffle, dispensing with his 4-2-3-1 formation and changing to 4-4-2 with McEvoy partnering previous lone central striker Fewster in attack.

Explaining that decision, the City chief reasoned: “I felt we just had to change it a little bit, because we were on the back foot. I also thought Brad was a bit isolated and we wanted to get Kenny on the ball and in positions where he’s at his best too.”

Coulson, meanwhile, was praised for his performance after opening the scoring with a perfectly-measured lob over ex-Manchester United goalkeeper and Northern Ireland international Roy Carroll.

“His goal was fantastic and probably the only place he could put it to beat the keeper,” McNamara enthused. “His all-round play for the team and his experience helping out his full back was excellent as well.”

The City manager added that he felt Satka, playing out of position at right back due to the start of Luke Hendrie’s three-match ban, impressed on his full professional debut despite the bizarre own goal.

“I thought he did very well,” McNamara declared. “Their lad tried to run him a few times, but he got back and made some great tackles.

“For the own goal, the ball came across and he decided to use his head. That was a difficult moment for us all with the scoreline and I was disappointed that Scotty (Flinders) didn’t get a clean sheet because it would have been great for his confidence and I felt we deserved one for our defending.”

Luke Summerfield was also withdrawn midway through the second period with McNamara explaining: “I thought Luke looked a bit tired with some of his decision making and, at times, he was taking too many touches on the ball. I wanted to get Matty Dixon’s fresh legs on to help us move the ball quicker.”

Striker Jake Hyde and Reece Thompson were second-half replacements too, ending their long lay-offs due to hernia problems and a long-term illness respectively.

On their returns, McNamara said: “I’m delighted to have them both back. It’s difficult coming on when the game is in the balance, but Hydey had a good opportunity that he put just past the post. They will get fitter and stronger and it was good for me to see how strong the bench looked.

“I feel there has been a real change in our standards and the quality of personnel coming back in recent weeks.”

On-loan Newcastle defender Kyle Cameron's loan spell with the Minstermen, meanwhile, has been extended until the end of the season.