YORK City caretaker Viv Busby boss believes new signing Paul Robinson is capable of matching the spectacular goal that opened his account for the Minstermen in Saturday's 3-1 home victory over Crawley Town.

Robinson, who has signed for City until the end of the season, made it 2-1 against the Red Devils at Bootham Crescent when he dispossessed left-back Ryan Palmer and sidestepped fellow defender Joe Dolan before curling a brilliant left-footed effort into the top corner.

It was a goal of the season contender to rival the late strikes from Lev Yalcin at Morecambe and Kevin Donovan against Halifax and Busby's message was don't be surprised if the 20-year-old enjoys a repeat performance before next April.

Busby said: "In training he likes to have a go from distance and it was a great bit of skill to create the chance before he hit the ball in the top corner. It was a magnificent goal.

"We've got him until the end of the season. He's very good technically and he can hold the ball up well. I was very pleased with him because he worked his socks off."

On-loan Aston Villa defender Lee Grant and five-goal leading marksman Andy Bishop joined Robinson on the mark.

The sight of two City strikers on the scoresheet is a rarity at Bootham Crescent and Busby is likely to give Robinson and Bishop an opportunity now to be his first-choice front men, saying: "They both worked really hard and Bish deserved his goal. It was a great downward header from a perfect cross by Dave Merris."

Robinson probably only started Saturday's match after Lee Nogan failed to recover from a shin injury and namesake Paul D Robinson went down with flu which also meant left-footed Shaun Smith earned a recall for his first game, filling in out of position at right back after the illness claimed teenage defenders Graeme Law and Michael Staley.

Smith was responsible for Crawley's 51st-minute equaliser but Busby was pleased with his performance otherwise, adding: "He did very well considering it was his first competitive game since the start of the season and to ask a left back to play right back is very difficult."

In complete contrast to last week when Busby called his players in for Sunday training after the 3-0 debacle at Northwich, City were handed a two-day break after beating Crawley and will report back to Wigginton Road tomorrow when preparations will start for the Boxing Day trip to derby rivals Scarborough.

The acting manager said: "We had a bit of an indifferent week after losing to Northwich but the players responded very well. We had a laugh afterwards that having gone in for training last Sunday and got this result we should do it again. But laughing aside it was a decent performance.

"We went a goal down last week and capitulated but we kept on battling and our positive reaction to them scoring was exactly what it should have been. We can now look forward to Scarborough. I've told the lads not to take their foot off the gas and look after themselves over Christmas."

Busby also added that he was pleased the Bootham Crescent crowd has now seen their team take seven points from a possible nine at home, saying: "It's nice to send the fans away happy and I must apologise to the one guy I had a go at behind me for getting on the players' backs but I understand that the fans, like us, are apprehensive and when they equalised probably thought here we go again but we need to stick together."

Updated: 10:24 Monday, December 20, 2004