ROOKIE goalkeeper David Stockdale is determined to prove that his man-of-the-match performance against Accrington Stanley was not a case of beginner's luck.

Stockdale, 18, made his home debut on Tuesday night after Chris Porter's 20th-minute sending-off and was expected to stay in goal for today's match at Dagenham & Redbridge.

The youth team 'keeper made a string of fine saves and kicked and handled well against Accrington and believes he is capable of a repeat performance, saying: "If selected, I would like to go out and prove that Tuesday night was not a fluke because I don't think it was.

"I was nervous when I came on and I will be again but, as soon as you get involved in the match, you become relaxed and don't worry about things. I just want to keep my feet on the ground and I will be preparing mentally as if I am playing for the juniors until I am told otherwise because, then, anything else will be a bonus."

The game was Stockdale's first taste of senior football since appearing as a substitute for Michael Ingham at Oxford on the last day of the 2002/2003 campaign and he was pleased with his display, saying: "The fans were great. They got behind me and I enjoyed it.

"I knew the gaffer did not want to put me in under difficult circumstances but it ended up that he had no choice. I think the fans realised I have been at York for nearly five years and I have a bit of York in me even though I'm from Leeds.

"Because of what's gone on at the club in recent years and the people that are now involved the club has become a part of me. I would have liked to have got a win for the gaffer because I think he just needs this team to come together as a group.

"I think all teams have a blip and I think ours has come at the start of the season. I feel confident with all the players in front of me, including our younger players like Adam Arthur and Bryan Stewart."

Stockdale also said that he sympathised with the red-carded Porter after his return to first-team action was cut short by a controversial decision.

The teenage 'keeper said: "The last thing the team wanted was for 'Ports' to get sent off with our goalkeeping problems and I hope he gets another chance because he's waited for an opportunity. I had said to 'Ports', 'this is your chance, go and take it' before the game but he was saying the same to me half-an-hour later."

Stockdale also admitted he is surprised to have been elevated into the first team after starting the season behind Porter and Paul Crichton, who is still suspended by the club while his argument with supporters at Gravesend is being fully investigated.

His last game before Tuesday night was a juniors match at Hull City on the opening day of the season and Stockdale said: "I didn't really expect to get too many chances this season as you don't get too many first-team 'keepers who are 18.

"You have to wait your turn and my turn came on Tuesday night. I was given a chance to prove I could do it."

Updated: 10:27 Saturday, September 04, 2004