AFTER a tough January, York City finally got off the mark for 2022 with a draw at home to Gateshead, and a week later, followed it up with a comfortable 3-0 win at Blyth Spartans.

Clayton Donaldson and Jack McKay headed in Mitch Hancox crosses within four first-half minutes of each other to put City firmly in control, and Paddy McLaughlin swept home in the second half as York cruised to victory.

City will look to keep this momentum going at Bradford Park Avenue tomorrow night (7.45pm).

Here are five things we learned at Blyth.

1. A settled back line is worth its weight in salt

John Askey made two changes from the Gateshead game for Saturday's win at Blyth. Neither was in the rearguard, which was - by and large - impressive as a back four, with the evergreen Akil Wright shielding, as it had been for the Heed.

York will hope the days of scrabbling for defensive back-ups stay in the distant past as City are showing the confidence-boosting benefits of having a stable and composed back line that knows its role and clicks.

2. Askey prizes a midfield

The two changes? They brought fit-again Paddy McLaughlin back into central midfield and swapped striker Kurt Willoughby for veteran marksman Clayton Donaldson.

Even in the grim defeat to Bradford Park Avenue, City's emerging modus operandi was clear. The midfield is not viewed as an attacking sand trap; rather, a fluid four playing closely behind a lone striker is the best way to create chances.

3. Hancox is a worthwhile addition

There was plenty of scepticism when left-back Hancox was brought in on loan from Hereford to alleviate City's defensive injury crisis.

But the 28-year-old has proved his worth at York - though not as a left-back.

Askey - who has worked with Hancox before, at Macclesfield Town between 2016 and 2018 - was sure he would be better deployed in midfield, and so it seems.

Hancox was one of the star performers from the 3-0 win at Blyth, providing a busy link between the midfield and attack, and assisting two goals with pinpoint crosses.

4. Bradford will be a test...

.... again.

Mark Bower's side effectively neutralised City at Monks Cross. By keeping tight and disciplined at the back, they gave York's inchoate attacking approach a stern test, and when the hosts made mistakes in possession, they were punished by Bradford's brutally efficient guerilla football.

Avenue this time will be allowed to play former York midfielders Sam Fielding and Harrison Hopper, and head into the game off the back of a 5-0 battering of Alfreton Town (although this followed a 3-0 defeat at former basement side AFC Telford United).

5. Kouogun shows promise

A free signing from League of Ireland side Shelbourne, centre-back Maxim Kouogun made waves at North Yorkshire side Harrogate Town, but is yet to fully convince Askey on the field for York.

But City should stick by him, and not just because he is the clearest swap for departed club captain Sean Newton.

The 24-year-old has been let down by switching off and trying to recover rashly, but he has also shown he has an eye and a mind for the role by reading dangerous moments well.