SKIPPER Emmanuel Panther joked that he had forgotten how to celebrate after he ended a 54-game wait for his first York City goal during Saturday's impressive 2-1 victory at Weymouth.

Panther pounced for the first time in Minstermen colours to give his side the lead on the hour mark, finding an unguarded net after Clayton Donaldson's shot had been parried by home keeper Jason Matthews.

It was his first goal since scoring for Brechin City during a 4-1 win at Arbroath in March 2005, ending a personal drought of 56 matches and Panther, after overcoming the initial shock, headed for City's loyal travelling fans, where he earned a ticking off for his exuberance from referee James Linington.

Panther said: "When Clayton went through I was screaming for him to pass the ball but I just knew, knowing him, that he wouldn't.

"I was hoping for a rebound off the keeper and that happened. The ball broke nicely to me and it was a great finish from a yard.

"I was a bit nervous as I carried the ball towards the goal but I just tucked it in and then I did not know what to do. I had forgotten how to celebrate but luckily I remembered to head for the fans and it was great to give them something to shout about."

Missed chances, immediately after the goal, meant City's lead was shortlived, however, when home striker Wayne Purser equalised on 71 minutes.

But Jason Goodliffe popped up to head in his first goal for City ten minutes from time and Panther praised the impact the on-loan centre back has had since arriving from Stevenage, saying: "Jason is a great lad with great experience.

"He's the captain at Stevenage and is always talking the boys through games. He also helps me even though I'm club captain and I look up to him and am learning a lot from him.

"He's just a great player to have in the team and a great addition to the squad. He knows what he can do and what he can't do. He's solid, wins every header and is a danger at attacking set-pieces."

Panther, 22, also believes Saturday's result will have made the rest of the Conference sit up and take notice.

The Minstermen failed to beat any side that finished in the league's top six places last season but the Glaswegian midfielder reckons the KitKat Crescent club are a different proposition now.

He said: "Last season we struggled to beat any of the teams in the play-offs but, this season, we have sent out a nice message to the rest of the teams at the top that we will give you a good game home and away. As a result, I think Saturday's game was right up there with the 3-1 win at Exeter as our best since I've been at the club but any away win with the boys is superb."

The former Partick Thistle and St Johnstone midfielder also insisted he had no qualms with manager Billy McEwan's decision to drop him three weeks ago.

Panther was recalled for the FA Cup clash against Bristol City after a one-match absence and kept his starting place at the Wessex Stadium.

About his brief omission, Panther said: "I accepted it because nobody is big enough to not get dropped. We are not only playing against the opposition at the moment but we are also playing to hold our positions in the team."