AFTER an ignominious defeat on Saturday and a win seemingly against the odds on Monday, York City have ended a mixed Bank Holiday Weekend on a high.

At home to Brackley Town, City turned in their best half of football of the season up to that point and led at the break through Akil Wright - only to undo all their good work in a feeble second half and lose 2-1 to a pair of late goals.

Two days later at Spennymoor Town, City had all three strikers on target in a vibrant 3-1 win which home striker Glen Taylor will rue as the day he failed to punish an inexperienced back line.

Here are five things we learnt.

1. That first win was vital

Three back-to-back defeats desperate way for title-favourites to begin a season, particularly when one was as crushing and self-inflicted as the one against Brackley Town.

On top of the results, City have also struggled with personnel, manager Steve Watson reporting glumly before Gloucester that his squad was down to the "bare bones". Things have scarcely improved since - central defender Matty Brown has come back just as Sean Newton was forced out.

The longer the winless run of bad luck goes, the lower heads drop, which is why it was so important that - no matter the manner - City got off the mark as soon as possible to boost their morale.

2. It would be easy for York to feel sorry for themselves

Twenty minutes before kick off on Monday, shaking his head incredulously, Watson walked back to the visiting dressing room for the final pre-match preparations.

He had just broken the news that senior right-back Michael Duckworth, having returned to the side to face Brackley, had suffered a suspected flare-up of the groin injury that kept him out at Gloucester and that midfielder Olly Dyson would go to full-back instead.

It felt very par-for-the-course for City and their recent fortunes. Midway through the first half, Sam Fielding then scored an unfortunate own goal, the ball bouncing off him after Pete Jameson had palmed away a cross, adding to the list of deflected goals conceded this season.

But then in the second half, Spennymoor missed a raft of gilt-edged chances after cutting through York's defence. Could their luck be turning?

3. Jameson is a huge asset

Pete Jameson is one of the best, if not the best, keepers in the division and has been responsible for myriad outstanding saves this season already.

His placement, unflinching timing and sizeable frame have made him particularly impressive in one-on-one situations.

This will be essential if York's injury crisis at the back continues as it looks to be going.

4. The 4-3-3 has been added to City's arsenal

Wide attackers Mackenzie Heaney and Dyson were named on the bench for Monday (Dyson obviously coming into the starting line-up in a different capacity to usual), with Michael Woods and Kurt Willoughby coming into the midfield and attack, respectively.

The midfield change is meant to remove the temptation for the wide players to drop back too far when City are under pressure and thus prevent the self-destructive inertia that struck against Brackley.

5. City fans travel well

Spennymoor might just be up the A19 from York but the support for the visitors was still tremendous. City voices rang out throughout the 90 minutes and provided a wall of noise to accompany each of the three goals.