FORGOTTEN man Alex Meechan hopes his winner in the stunning comeback against Halifax will lead to better things for both himself and York City - starting at Oxford tomorrow (3pm).

Meechan has been in the wilderness for eight games, but marked his return to the squad on Thursday by coming on as substitute with City 2-0 down and scoring the winner to seal a stunning 3-2 victory ahead of the trip to the Kassam Stadium.

The 27-year-old admitted he did not expect to be recalled against his former club but hopes he can now kick on, earning himself a longer deal at KitKat Crescent and helping the Minstermen rise up the Blue Square Premier table.

He said: "It was a total surprise to be back. We've had injuries, though, and I was just glad to get a chance. I think I did okay. Coming on when you're 2-0 down, you just try to do what you can to get in the game."

His entrance at right-midfield saw boss Billy McEwan tweak his tactics, with striker Onome Sodje playing more centrally and starting the fightback with City's first goal.

Meechan said: "Something has worked as we ended up winning the game. It was a decision the gaffer made and you'd like to think it paid off."

As for his close-range strike, he said: "At any level and in any game, it's always nice to score the winning goal. It's good for the lads, though. That's two wins on the bounce now and we'll look to take that forward to Oxford."

He hopes to be involved again, but said: "It's out of my hands. It's whatever the gaffer decides, and whether he feels I deserve to play or be involved."

Meechan acknowledged neither City nor himself had had the best of the starts to the season, but said he had looked forward to getting back involved.

"I've been out of the team, but I'm professional enough and old and experienced enough to know that when I get my chance, I have to be physically and mentally right to take it. It definitely helps when you have a night like Thursday. I will now keep going and keep my head down and, hopefully, we can keep moving up."

Meechan, on a short-term contract, said: " I want to stay as long as I can, be successful, get my foot in the door and become a regular squad member at a good club, and York are definitely a good club."