Midfielder Nick Richardson is banking on York City to kick-out complacency and prevent a rerun of his relegation nightmare.

The 33-year-old has been at the centre of City's upturn in fortunes since arriving at Bootham Crescent just two weeks ago.

Promising performances and four points banked from testing duels at Rochdale and Brighton have put the Minstermen on the right path.

But according to Richardson, as the season enters its most crucial phase City can't afford to pause for breath - as his harrowing experience playing for Chester goes to prove.

In 11 games during last season's run in Chester lost just twice, culminating in a 2-0 win over City, and their Football League status looked assured.

But the Blues lost their last two matches, including a 1-0 home defeat to Peterborough on the last day of the season, and went down when just one point would have lifted them to safety.

For Richardson it remains a bitter memory, but one he intends to put to good use in what promises to be a fraught run-in.

"I think we got to the position where people started to relax," he recalled.

"It was difficult last year in that there were three or four teams involved in the struggle.

"This year there is a good eight or nine so it is one where nobody can afford to relax until the very end of the season.

"It has got to be a continued effort all the way through."

Richardson is poised for his full home debut for tomorrow's visit of Hartlepool to Bootham Crescent after a brief substitute appearance in last month's 3-0 defeat to Exeter.

It was after that crushing reverse that saw Dolan turn to Richardson and his experience has certainly stiffened up the City midfield.

But the modest former Halifax and Cardiff player was quick to distance himself from the tag of saviour.

"They have been two good team efforts really," he said.

"I was aware the team was in the middle of a difficult run but as soon as I walked into the dressing room and saw the players available it was clear the team is capable of a lot more and the last two results have certainly been good."

Richardson admitted City's last two away-day performances had been built on grit and determination rather than any open flowing football but insisted the end justified the means.

"Unfortunately, at this stage of the season it has got to be like that," he said.

"Everybody would like to be up there challenging but even Brighton were not particularly entertaining last Saturday.

"They were getting stick from the crowd so there's not many teams in the League who can be entertaining all the time.

"Even Man United get stick if they don't come up with the goods and that is part and parcel of football.

He added: "I'm sure it will be difficult on Saturday.

"They are a good side and are on a good run. They are the form team and are looking for an automatic place.

"I'm sure Hartlepool will fancy their chances of winning so perhaps it might be a bit more open.

"At Brighton, with a bit more belief in the last ten to 15 minutes we could have gone on and won that game. A week before everyone would have been amazed to have got ourselves in that position.

"I think it just shows what the team is capable of really."

Updated: 09:59 Friday, March 02, 2001