YORK City manager Martin Foyle celebrated his side’s first clean sheet in ten league games after Saturday’s 1-0 home victory over Ebbsfleet.

Michael Rankine scored the only goal of the match on 36 minutes to earn Blue Square Premier play-off chasers City maximum points in a close contest.

The Minstermen’s defence had shipped seven goals in their previous three fixtures and Foyle praised an improved performance from his back four against the second-bottom Kent club.

He said: “Ebbsfleet caused us some problems at times, but it’s nice to get back to a clean sheet. The back four worked hard together and Chris Carruthers gave some great protection in front of them as well.

“They threw their big centre-back forward late on and you have to defend well when that happens.

“There were a few nervy problems, but nothing major.”

Foyle also hailed a “fantastic” seven days in which the club had enjoyed three home victories following the 3-2 triumphs over League Two Crewe and Blue Square Premier basement boys Chester.

He said: “It was a very important three points to complete a fantastic week for the club.

“The two league games were hard, even though people will have come expecting us to beat the opposition easily.

“That didn’t happen, but the players have worked hard and I’m delighted for them.”

City were not as convincing in the second half of Saturday’s game as they had been in the first and Foyle admitted his 80th-minute replacement of winger Adam Smith with defensive midfielder Levi Mackin was aimed at protecting his team’s lead as visiting pressure mounted.

He added: “We tightened up with four midfielders on the pitch at the end, but so what? I want to win games.”