From a quiet week to a hectic one for York City. We are now halfway through a run of four games in the space of ten days.

Our first game after a week's break was at Bootham against Rochdale, which saw a meeting of a few old friends of mine.

I played alongside Jamie Hoyland, their assistant manager at Sheffield United.

Paul Connor came on loan to Cambridge from Stoke during my time there and then there was Richard Jobson, their 39-year-old centre back, who I know from when I did my coaching certificate a few years back.

After 15 minutes we were 1-0 down to a Connor goal and the game should have turned in our favour when their goalkeeper was stretchered off with concussion trying to save a great free kick from Keith Graydon.

Not having a replacement goalkeeper on the bench it was up to Lee McEvilly, their shaven-headed centre-forward to take his place.

He could do nothing about our equaliser from the penalty spot, put away confidently by Graydon.

Two more goals arrived in the space of ten minutes. A great back post header from Darren Edmondson, his fifth of the season, which is a fantastic total considering he hadn't scored in the previous five seasons

Rochdale were awarded another penalty. Their stand-in keeper, McEvilly took the spot-kick and scored on the rebound after a good save from Ingham.

This result dropped us into seventh place in the League but we still had our game in hand on the Tuesday against Carlisle United who are struggling at the bottom of the division.

After serving my two-match suspension, thankfully I was restored to the starting 11.

It was a very close first half with us creating the better of the chances but went in at the interval all-square.

We took the lead in the second half with a fantastic right foot strike from Anthony Shandran from 20 yards out which flew into the top corner.

Carlisle levelled from a set-piece and at the end of the game we were bitterly disappointed not to have taken the three points.

I do feel that this is a testimony to how far the team has come that we were so disappointed not to have won but it has moved us up to sixth place in the League and the manager was pleased with a point away from home.

The games over Easter against Lincoln City away and Kidderminster at home are vitally important as they are against opposition who also have everything to play for.

These two games will determine whether we have a chance of automatic promotion in third place or if we are to battle for a play-off place.

Make no mistake, the players know how important the last four games of the season are and will handle the pressures that come with them.

We will be giving 110 percent to give York City the best chance possible for promotion to Division Two.

We will need the support of the fans more than anything in our last two home games.

So let's turn out in numbers and cheer the lads on.

Updated: 10:58 Thursday, April 17, 2003