TWO-GOAL Darren Dunning's switch from the centre of midfield to the left worked like a charm for York City.

The Minstermen stormed to a 3-0 win at Dagenham & Redbridge to ease the pressure on player-manager Chris Brass.

It was City's first away win since last December and their biggest on opposition soil since Torquay on August 18, 2001.

Brass welcomed back Gary Pearson for his second City game and praised his performance after a three-match suspension.

Pearson played in the centre of midfield with Dunning going wide in place of Bryan Stewart.

Dunning responded with two goals and could now become a more permanent fixture on the flank with Brass saying: "Darren does not play as wide as your obvious winger but he reads the game well and anticipates when to get forward and he made us a more solid unit.

"We were unfortunate to lose Gary Pearson after what was a harsh sending off in my eyes but he adds stability. He does not give you too much magic - although he did nearly score two cracking goals - but he gives you hard work which releases your class players.

"He gave Kevin Donovan the scope to play and I think Andy Bishop, Lee Nogan and Dunning also benefited from having him in there. Darren certainly got into forward positions more, which he is well capable of."

Pearson's central-midfield partner Paul Groves joined Dunning on the scoresheet with his second goal of the season and Brass believes the 38-year-old veteran is proving a shining example for the club's younger players.

He said: "Paul is a very good professional. There will be times when he gets tired but he takes his rest right and looks after himself and that will rub off on our younger professionals.

"They will appreciate why I have brought players like him in. It's not just for the short term, it's for the long-term development of players like Graeme Law, Dave Merris and Dunning.

"They can see what it takes to stay in the game until you are 38 because not a lot of players do that."

Teenage 'keeper David Stockdale is set to carry on in goal after another impressive display.

Stockdale, 18, was handed his first senior start during Saturday's 3-0 victory at Victoria Road, having been named man of the match after coming on as a substitute in the previous match when Chris Porter was sent off against Accrington.

Ex-Darlington 'keeper Porter missed the trip south as he served his one-match ban. It now looks likely he will have to wait for another chance between the sticks.

City boss Chris Brass said: "I can't see any reason why David should not continue. He has repaid the faith I had in him after doing so well on Tuesday and, crikey me, he did exceptionally well again.

"What more could I have asked from him? He was brave at times and his positional sense was good."

Updated: 11:44 Monday, September 06, 2004