KYLE Letheren is targeting a double-figured clean sheet tally after keeping York City’s first successive shut-outs since August 2015.

The Welsh net-minder celebrated his 29th birthday by holding hosts North Ferriby at bay during the 1-0 win on Boxing Day, having also prevented Torquay from scoring in a 0-0 draw at Bootham Crescent.

Letheren has four clean sheets to his name in 19 Minstermen outings, but once claimed 20 during Dundee’s Scottish Championship title-winning campaign of 2013/14 and is hoping the last two games represent a change in fortunate, having been denied four more in the final five minutes of fixtures this term.

He said: “Getting consecutive clean sheets has been a long time coming and, at some stages, it felt like they would never come but, hopefully, more can follow now. If it wasn’t for injury time, I’d almost have ten clean sheets already, because we have come so close on so many occasions.

“We’ve been gradually getting there and, hopefully, conceding late on is a thing of the past now, because I want to get double figures this season. Two on the bounce is a good stat, but I set myself personal goals every season and I got 20 once at Dundee.

“I’m nowhere near that at the minute, but that can change quickly, because I got nine in the last 11 games that season at Dundee. I take great pride and keep an eye on how many clean sheets I get and two on the trot can quickly become three and, then, three can become four.”

During the 48-game reign of Gary Mills’ managerial predecessor Jackie McNamara, City managed just four shut-outs.

Since Mills’ switch to a back three, meanwhile, one goal or fewer has been conceded in six of the subsequent nine matches, including all of the last five fixtures, with Letheren reckoning the tactical switch has played an important role in the emergence of a greater defensive resolve.

“I think the formation has got a lot to do with it,” he ventured. “With 3-5-2, it seems to give you a platform to play from and it can be just as attacking, as it is defensive, with your wing-backs.

“It can be hard to play against with another centre half in there sweeping up and it suits the personnel we have got at the moment, as seen in recent games.”

Letheren went on to highlight the wily character of 30-something, former Championship duo Jon Parkin and Simon Lappin as a factor behind the team’s improved game management, adding: “We’ve got good experience in the squad, which I feel was something we were missing earlier in the season and it’s paying dividends at the moment.

“We got over the line at North Ferriby in a game we might have drawn or lost a couple of months ago, but we’ve got the knowhow to win those sort of games now. Experience tells at this level and we look more confident.

“The likes of Jon Parkin and Simon Lappin have been worth their weight in gold. Jon’s a good character too and has given the place a lift.”

Letheren remains The Press’ Player of the Year leader having been given ample opportunity to shine during his early games for the club, but he has admitted that he doesn’t mind being little less in the limelight now.

“You always like making saves, but I felt I was way too busy in most games, when the opposition keeper wasn’t,” he pointed out. “You still need to be called upon to make the important saves, which I feel I am doing at the moment and it’s nice to at least make one or two, but I won’t turn down clean sheets on quiet days either.”

Letheren is also pleased to have been back between the sticks for the last six games, having briefly lost his place to Scott Flinders following a hip injury.

He was made available for a loan move during that period due to his desire to play first-team football, only to reclaim his place at the end of November, although he still isn’t taking his first XI place for granted.

On that spell of uncertainty, Letheren pointed out: “I never asked to leave, I was just asking to play.

“There was stuff in the pipeline maybe, but nothing concrete and a week is a long time in football. I wouldn’t say I’m the number one at the moment.

“We’ve got a good pool of keepers fighting for the position, including Scott and Luke (Simpson) and I’m just concentrating on my own performance. I didn’t feel I deserved to be left out, but that’s football.

“My unfortunate injury was Scott’s gain and he was doing fine. Fortunately, the gaffer put me back in and, hopefully, I can do enough to retain my position for the next 20-odd games.”

“I felt I was in a good place form wise when I got the injury and, whilst it took a couple of games to get back to that, everything feels fine now.”

Nor is Letheren getting complacent ahead of tomorrow’s return fixture against relegation rivals Ferriby, insisting: “It’s another big game and we can’t rest on our laurels.

“They will be hurting after Boxing Day and will come at us with everything they’ve got, so we’ve got to be ready for that. You don’t get any gimmes in this league and we’ll have to fight just as hard to get three points.”