PENALTY hero Peter Jameson admitted that York City's Buildbase FA Trophy quarter-final win at Dagenham and Redbridge could not have worked out any better for himself and the team.

A Clayton Donaldson penalty in the last kick of normal time sent the cup tie to penalties and goalkeeper Jameson produced three saves in the shootout to secure a memorable victory.

Having beaten a side from the tier above in such dramatic circumstances, and in front of over 800 travelling City fans, York could scarcely have written have a more thrilling finish.

“It was absolutely fantastic," enthused Jameson. "It couldn’t have worked out any better for me or the team. I just had to save the penalties and make sure that we went through.

“That’s what I’m there for. It’s a team game and the lads have been absolutely brilliant these last few weeks and I think it’s shown on the pitch how far we’ve come as a team.

“If I can play my part, like I have, then long may that continue.

“It’s put a few grey hairs on me,” Jameson laughed. “When you’ve got fans travelling down like they have, that’s for them because they deserve that.

York appeared out of the game when trailing 1-0 to Vanarama National League promotion contenders Dagenham late on, only to see Maxim Kouogun fouled by the home defence.

Jameson admitted: “I think when you get so far on in a game, you just think ‘It’s not falling for us’.

"A couple of balls went in straight to their keeper but Scotty (Barrow) has put in a nice little ball in and when the penalty has fallen to us, I think it was written in the stars from then.”

Despite the weight of expectation on his match-defining spot-kick, Donaldson showed nerves of steel to Panenka the ball rather than opt for a more powerful strike.

“What a perfect time to do it," he grinned. "We practise penalties all the time in training and I’m confident in taking them.

“But obviously with the last kick of the game, it was a crucial one. I knew that the keeper liked to go early so I thought it’d be the perfect time to try the Panenka.

“Nine times out of 10, the keeper dives and goes early to try and give themselves the best opportunity save it.

“Penalty-taking is all mind games really and I won that one.”

As well as scoring late on and in the shootout, Donaldson offered some words of wisdom to left-back Barrow who was also successful from 12 yards out.

Barrow revealed: “I picked my spot and then Clayts gave me the warning that the keeper makes a step.

"I saw him move and I changed my mind at the last minute and went the other way."

After the highs experienced in East London, York are straight back into National League North action at home to Curzon Ashton tomorrow night (7.45pm), one of four likely remaining midweek matches.

“I’m absolutely shattered," admitted Barrow. "I’m just playing through my knee injury and managing my body. It’s tiring but I’d rather be playing Tuesday-Saturday than having (extra) training sessions.

"Now we want to keep our run going and cement our place in the play-offs. The feeling at the moment in the dressing room is so high. Since the gaffer’s come in, it’s been about fundamentals and being organised.

“The goal we conceded was pretty sloppy from us. But we’ll go again on Tuesday, put it right and hopefully keep the run going."