YORK City goalkeeper Josh Mimms is regarding his move from five-time European champions Liverpool as career progression.

The 18-year-old stopper - son of former Spurs, Everton, Blackburn and Minstermen number one Bobby - has signed for the KitKat Crescent club until the end of the season after spending two years with the Anfield giants.

Chances on Merseyside, though, were limited for Mimms, who was even in competition with two other goalkeepers for an under-18 starting place and he has welcomed being in a first-team environment during four months of work experience with City.

On making the switch permanent, Mimms said: "I was at Rotherham until I joined Liverpool as a scholar, so I know what it's like at lower levels. I think York City is a really good club and the standard of football is good as well.

"Liverpool was a good experience to see what it's like at a big club, but I was a million miles away from the first team. That's why it's good to be in and around the first team at a club now and hopefully I can kick on in my career.

"Coming to York and playing for the reserves has definitely been a step up. I'm playing against better players and men rather than coming up against boys week in, week out."

Despite feeling very much on the fringes at Liverpool, Mimms enjoyed his Anfield apprenticeship and did, on occasions, rub shoulders with some of the game's greatest names.

He added: "Now and again, if I was in the reserves or there was an international weekend, I'd train with the first team. I sometimes joined in for a bit of shooting practice.

"I faced a few Steven Gerrard shots, but can't say I saved any. I also worked with Jerzy Dudek, Chris Kirkland and Scott Carson and it was good to learn from them and be shown how it should be done."

Mimms is hoping that experience can now benefit his new club and, having already watched 21 City games from the bench as Tom Evans' understudy, feels he is ready should he be called upon for senior duty.

He said: "I've really enjoyed my time at York and it's good to get a permanent deal. Hopefully, I can kick on and put a bit of pressure on Tom Evans.

"I feel I'm getting better every week and I'm improving with the games I'm getting. Having sat on the bench, I understand what this level is about now and, watching it, I think I can step up to it.

"I hope I can get a few first team games if possible but, for now, I'm concentrating on carrying on with the reserves and making sure I get Tom's warm-up right before games."

Mimms also believes he is benefiting from the tuition of experienced former Scunthorpe stopper Evans, who is now 31.

He said: "Tom is a great lad and he looks to help me out as a young player. He coaches me a bit and shows me what I am doing wrong."

Mimms' biggest mentor remains his father, who played in the 1986 FA Cup final for Everton and was a member of Blackburn's 1995 Premier League- winning squad. He is now hoping to follow in his father's footsteps with Bobby having made 67 first-team outings for York - his home town team - between 1998 and 2000.

Mimms junior said: "My dad was an inspiration to me. I watched him week in, week out and being a goalkeeper is what I wanted to do from being a kid.

"I saw him play a few times at York and I've been around York most of my life, so I watched the odd game after he left as well. He's goalkeeper coach at Wolves now and I went there for a couple of months in pre-season so he helped me along and brought my game on a bit. When I had the chance to come to York he also said that it's a big club that should be in the Football League and, hopefully, I can help them get back there."

Meanwhile, striker Paul Brayson scored two late goals to earn the reserves a 3-2 home win over Leeds United yesterday.

Brayson volleyed in an 82nd-minute equaliser following an Andy McWilliams long ball and then capitalised on a defensive error to deftly lift the ball over advancing Leeds' keeper Alan Martin at the death.

Earlier, Brayson laid the ball off for Phil Turnbull to sidefoot City into the lead from 15 yards during first-half stoppage time.

But Leeds responded when Tom Elliott outjumped Mimms to head in a Chris Fisher cross and Gavin Rothery then beat the City 'keeper at his near post on 71 minutes.

* City will travel to Blue Square Premier rivals Farsley Celtic in the third round of the FA Trophy on Saturday. Farsley were 2-0 winners over Alfreton Town in last night's second round replay at the Impact Arena.