YORK City manager Gary Mills hailed a great night as the club were propelled back into the Blue Square Bet Premier play-off frame after beating Luton Town 1-0 last night.

Jamie Reed’s 65th-minute goal gave maximum points to a City team reduced to ten men after Scott Kerr’s sending-off moments later.

With Kidderminster losing 2-1 to Darlington, the Minstermen moved up to sixth, three points behind Fleetwood, who visit the Harriers on Good Friday.

In a stormy encounter, Luton manager Gary Brabin was also sent off, sparking a melee down the players’ tunnel after he shoved away stewards in a series of angry exchanges.

Afterwards, City boss Mills said: “What a night! Let’ s make no mistake, if we had lost we were completely out of things.

“Now we are back in big time and that feels great. I could not ask any more from my players.”

Mills paid particular tribute to Chris Smith and left-back James Meredith, who were thrown together as central-defensive partners midway through the first half after Dan Parslow suffered a head injury.

The City chief added: “Chris Smith and James Meredith were fantastic. Mes read the game well and won his headers. He wasn’t fazed by anything. If we have to play him there again, we will.”

Mills’ one complaint was Kerr’s red card. He said: “The sending-off was harsh. I don’t think it was a free kick but now we will miss him on Saturday at Darlington.”

About Reed, Mills smiled: “He’s worked hard and he’s shed about a stone. He’s not eating those Welsh lamb burgers any more. He’s a goalscorer and they are worth their weight in gold.”