OLLY DYSON is expecting to see an improved performance from York City's last home league game when they line up against Southport tomorrow.

The last time City played at the LNER Community Stadium in National League North, they were beaten 1-0 by Hereford.

And the parallels between the sides prior to their visit to Monks Cross are obvious - Hereford were winless and bottom of the table, just as Southport are now.

Yet a flat performance against the Bulls was capped off by Clayton Donaldson having a penalty saved and a calamitous mix-up at the back which resulted in Tom Owen-Evans rolling the ball into an empty net.

But attacking midfielder Dyson insists that the Minstermen have learnt from the mistakes they made that day, and is confident things will be better this time around.

"We're a new team," the 21-year-old said.

"After every game, we learn different things and we learn how to play with each other more.

"We've worked on in training today what we should have done better, what we can do better and what we will do better.

"I can only see an improved performance on Saturday."

The Yellows have just three points to their name, all from draws at Haig Avenue - and Dyson is adamant promotion-chasing City must make sure their away record is no better come 5pm on Saturday.

"We have to win this game," he added.

"We can't lose it. It's sort of similar (to the FA Cup) in that we're going on the day to win.

"That's our focus.

"Obviously we've not started well enough in the league," he continued.

"We've got a lot of pressure going in to every game.

"They're the team at the bottom of the league but they've still got quality.

"We need to just be ready for every game, we need to just be winning games and picking up points.

"There is pressure but that's a good thing as well because it makes us want it more. That's what we need. We need pressure sometimes to put us through."

This will be York's fifth game at home in six fixtures.

"That's a good thing," Dyson said. "We've got the crowd behind us and we're playing on a magnificent pitch. If we could play at home every week, we would."

Where Southport have performed more positively is in the FA Cup and they made it through to the fourth round qualifying after beating Spennymoor Town 3-2 on Saturday, turning around a 2-1 deficit against their 10-man visitors.

City's Cup campaign has also been a bright one. Last weekend, lifting the mood from the Hereford defeat, the Minstermen beat Yorkshire rivals Whitby Town 2-0 to land themselves a spot in the fourth round qualifying. Once again, they have been drawn at home to a lower-league side, Morpeth Town.

But much like against Southport, there will be no room for complacency.

"You can never write a team off," Dyson said, looking ahead to the final stage before the first round proper.

"We've got a tough game in the Cup and we need to win that.

"Just like Whitby, it's a tough game. They'll be up for it, we need to be up for it and to get the job done.

"It's as simple as that.

"You've just got to be narrow-minded and think about the first game and what's in front of you."