SHOT-STOPPER Michael Ingham admitted a Gay Meadow nightmare inspired his third clean-sheet in five as York City held Division Three leaders Hartlepool United to a scoreless stalemate.

Ingham picked up the man of the match award from the Sky Television pundits after producing two crucial second half saves to keep the runaway table-toppers at bay.

It marked a dramatic turnaround in fortunes for the on-loan Sunderland 'keeper, who in City's 2-2 draw with Shrewsbury just four days earlier let a shot slip through his fingers for Luke Rodgers' first goal and was caught out at his near post for the second.

"I was devastated after Tuesday when I had a bit of a nightmare," Ingham told the Evening Press

"But that was why I came here, to get experience.

"It was a test of character for me and I was delighted with the way I bounced back and I was delighted to get a clean sheet after such a bad game.

"There was no bigger game to bounce back for. It was on Sky and I think Sunderland were watching me too.

"That is three clean sheets in five games for me now and we are unbeaten and if we can keep that up until the end of the season I'll be happy."

Ingham's one-month loan from Sunderland is due to end after next Saturday's home clash with Bury but he admits he would be delighted to stay for longer.

"I'd be more than happy to stay," he said.

"We're at the right end of the table and no disrespect to Sunderland but in terms of confidence it's not the best place to be at the moment.

"The gaffer said he wanted me for three months but he couldn't sign me for that initially because of the financial problems at the club.

"At the moment I'm just here for the month but if the club can get sorted I would definitely love to stay for another two months."

He added: "It's a great club with great fans, a great manager and a great set of lads.

"It just goes to show money is not everything in football. The lads have had to go without pay but they are still working their socks off."

Ingham admitted City were perhaps fortunate to claim a point on Saturday after Hartlepool dominated possession.

But he reckoned City's defensive resolve deserved to be rewarded.

He said: "We were disappointed with the second-half performance. We did okay first half but it was backs to the wall after the break and we never really tested their 'keeper.

"But we hung on for a point which was important because you could honestly say in the second-half we were never going to win it."

York City's intermediates were hit by another call-off this season as their scheduled trip to Lincoln City became their latest game to fall foul of the weather.

The youth team now move into a Merit League, which will see them take on Blackpool, Bury, Chesterfield, Darlington, Halifax, Macclesfield, Rochdale and Wrexham.

Their first game in the new division comes on Saturday at home to Rochdale.

Updated: 11:29 Monday, February 17, 2003