DURING Viv Busby's first spell at Bootham Crescent, the Minstermen created an aura of near invincibility on home soil.

With Denis Smith and Busby at the helm in the mid-80s, the old-fashioned ground was a Theatre of Dreams staging epic cup battles against the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool while boasting a League record that saw just one home loss during the all-conquering 1983/84 promotion campaign.

Comparisons between today's team and that side are, of course, futile with a series of pantomime-like performances meaning Bootham Crescent has more resembled a Theatre of the Absurd for most of the past 12 months.

But, since Busby took over as caretaker manager, the Conference strugglers' home form has improved with seven points out of a possible nine taken against play-off candidates Carlisle, Halifax and now Crawley Town.

A three-match unbeaten home run might seem a modest achievement but, in the light of recent traumatic times, it could represent a significant step.

City fans have grown increasingly frustrated with their team's displays over the last year and, again on Saturday, there were rumblings of discontent when Crawley levelled the scores on 51 minutes but the eventual 3-1 victory could have gone a small way to restoring some of their flagging faith in the players that are currently representing their club.

Goalscorers Paul Robinson and Andy Bishop's impressive workrate was matched at the back by fellow marksman Lee Grant and captain Chris Brass as well as on the flanks by the industrious Dave Merris and Kevin Donovan.

It was non-stop graft that was the key to Saturday's victory as City survived early pressure from an in-form Crawley team.

David Stockdale was called on to make saves from Allan Tait, Simon Wormull, Mo Harkin and Danny Marney in the first 20 minutes.

The teenage City 'keeper was also relieved to see Tait fail to find an empty net from a narrow angle after he had completely missed his kick and Harkin and Paul Armstrong went close with long-range efforts as well.

City woke up from their apparent stupor midway through the first half when Robinson's angled drive from 25 yards just cleared Crawley 'keeper Phil Smith's crossbar.

Smith then reacted excellently to save a Paul Groves header from Donovan's perfect cross.

On-loan Aston Villa defender Grant diverted a well-driven cross from Bishop straight at Smith before City missed a simple chance to take the lead on 33 minutes.

Groves released Donovan down the right flank and the former Grimsby midfielder's deep cross to the far post was headed back across the goal by Merris but somehow Bishop contrived to nod wide from three yards.

Fortunately, the home side only had to wait seven more minutes before finding the net.

The energetic and persistent Merris was tripped on the left by Crawley's Joe Dolan and, when Donovan swung in an inviting free-kick, Grant got ahead of team-mate Groves to head City in front.

Crawley almost responded immediately but Dolan's header was ruled out because of a push and the Surrey side also had a second effort ruled out before half-time when Neil Jenkins was adjudged to be offside after beating Stockdale.

City's 'keeper saved low to his right to keep out a fierce 30-yard drive by Wormull early in the second half but he was beaten on 51 minutes.

Wormull's pass inside Shaun Smith caught out the makeshift right-back and Marney slid in to poke the ball past Stockdale.

Busby's men did not panic after such a setback and a moment of magical inspiration from new signing Robinson handed them the initiative again on 69 minutes.

The 20-year-old striker, making his full Minstermen debut, robbed left-back Ryan Palmer near the corner flag and then sidestepped a challenge from Dolan before curling a terrific left-footed shot beyond Smith and into the rigging.

Clearly buoyed by his great strike Robinson then raced clear after harassing mistakes from Crawley defenders Ben Judge and Ian Simpemba but delayed his shot long enough for Smith to save at his feet.

City did score a third goal on 85 minutes when some nimble footwork by Merris saw him escape with the ball near the left-wing corner flag despite the presence of three visiting defenders.

His excellent cross then left Bishop with the simple task of heading downwards past Smith from inside the six-yard box.

Bishop could have added a fourth goal in injury-time but dragged his shot wide after outpacing Simpemba to race on to a Groves through ball.

York City 3, (Grant 40, P Robinson 69, Bishop 85) Crawley 1 (Marney 51)

Stockdale 7, Smith 6, Brass 8, Grant 8, Davies 7, Donovan 8, Dunning 7, Groves 7, Merris 8, Bishop 8, Robinson 8 (Yalcin, 89)

Key: 10 - Faultless; 9 - Outstanding; 8 - Excellent; 7 - Good; 6 - Average; 5 - Below par; 4 - Poor; 3 - Dud; 2 - Hopeless; 1 - Retire

Subs not used: Porter, Law, Stewart, Webster.

Star man: Brass - swept up brilliantly at the back and hardly put a foot wrong.

Crawley Town: P Smith, Judge, Simpemba, Dolan, Palmer (Mapes, 76), Harkin, Armstrong, Wormull, Jenkins (Kember, 64), Tait (MacDonald, 70), Marney. Subs not used: Little, Davidson.

Yellow cards: Dolan 41, Kember 67, Davies 81.

Red cards: None.

Referee: Andy Page (Derbyshire).

Rating: Generally good.

Attendance: 1,848

Weather watch: Chilly

Game breaker: City's excellent second goal brought confidence and belief.

Match rating: The Minstermen were unrecognisable from last Saturday and survived early Crawley pressure well.

Updated: 10:38 Monday, December 20, 2004