THE traditional time for celebrating miracles might still be a month away but York City supporters will be forgiven for thinking Christmas had arrived early at Bootham Crescent on Saturday.

With high-flying Carlisle United boasting an unbeaten record on their travels this season and the struggling Minstermen without a win in seven matches, the prospect of a home victory seemed as likely and remarkable a concept as immaculate conception.

However, this game, might have marked the birth of Busby's Babes.

Whereas, a month earlier, City's talented teenagers froze in the FA Cup against Carlisle at Brunton Park, on Saturday, they learned to express themselves without fear.

Full home debutants Kane Ashcroft, Michael Staley and Lee Grant all made outstanding contributions.

David Stockdale, Sean Davies and substitute Lev Yalcin also played their parts in victory and Graeme Law's 89th-minute introduction meant that City finished the game with seven players aged 19 or under.

Ashcroft did an excellent job as a midfield replacement for the suspended Darren Dunning, enjoying a disciplined and busy performance, as well as having the confidence to seek the ball, receive it and pass it sensibly.

Making a good start, he grew in confidence until forgivably fading slightly towards the end of the match.

Staley, 17, also produced his best first-team performance, hardly putting a foot wrong at right-back and illustrating why former manager Chris Brass has been extolling his virtues for so long.

Grant, meanwhile, was a tower of strength alongside Brass at the back and, if he can be prised away from Aston Villa, would be a terrific acquisition, as well as a sound investment.

The chances of a home victory were, of course, less miraculous when Carlisle midfielder Peter Murphy was sent off for throwing out his arm and striking Paul Groves.

But many teams - more experienced than City's Saturday side - have come unstuck against ten men.

Caretaker boss Viv Busby, however, ensured that City's numerical advantage counted and the home team maintained possession efficiently until the latter stages.

Goals by Lee Nogan and Dave Merris were the reward for City's domination while, at the other end, Carlisle's much-heralded Brazilian striker Magno Vieira made about as much impact as compatriot Socrates did at Garforth Town seven days earlier.

In fact, the Cumbrians, who have only been beaten by table-topping Barnet this season, did not manage their first shot on target until the 86th minute.

Stockdale saved it - a low drive from Karl Hawley - only for substitute Kevin Henderson to bundle in the loose ball.

City had also more than matched their high-flying visitors before Murphy's dismissal.

An on-song Andy Bishop had looked the best player on the pitch in the opening stages - his quick feet causing the Carlisle defence regular problems and his deflected drive from 20 yards narrowly looped over the crossbar with goalkeeper Matty Glennon well beaten.

A minute earlier, ex-Minsterman Tom Cowan had sent a diving header wide but his team-mate Murphy was soon to receive his marching orders after taking a swipe at Groves, who was guilty of no more than midfield harassment.

City immediately took control with the impressive Bishop testing Glennon twice and Davies also having a volley saved.

Brendan McGill did beat Davies in the air at the other end but headed over the bar and City then went in front on the stroke of half-time.

Staley's cross from the right found Merris, whose shot across the face of goal was tapped in at the far post from two yards by Nogan, who survived strong and perhaps justified visiting appeals for an offside flag.

Bishop limped out of the action early in the second half much to the visitors' relief but City lost none of their attacking impetus.

Although Chris Billy did head narrowly wide the Minstermen doubled their lead moments later. Nogan and Yalcin both won headers to release Merris for a rare clear run on goal.

The former Harrogate Town player, full of energy throughout, appeared to scuff his shot but it bounced past Glennon into the bottom corner for his first League goal in City colours.

Carlisle's late consolation arrived when Henderson clumsily improvised follow-up effort found the back of the net after Stockdale had saved from Hawley.

Staley then almost opened his City account in spectacular style and made the points safe, cutting in from the right before curling an excellent left-footed shot inches wide.

Henderson had City's nerves jangling moments later but dragged a good chance wide and Yalcin drove wide in the excruciating four-and-a-half minutes of injury time.

Match facts:

Nationwide Conference

Saturday, November 27, 2004

at Bootham Crescent

York City 2 (Nogan 44, Merris 69)

Carlisle 1 (Henderson 87)

City ratings:

Key: 10 - Faultless; 9 - Outstanding; 8 - Excellent; 7 - Good; 6 - Average; 5 - Below par; 4 - Poor; 3 - Dud; 2 - Hopeless; 1 - Retire

Stockdale 7

Staley 8

Brass 8

Grant 8

Davies 7

Donovan 8 (Law 89min)

Ashcroft 8

Groves 7

Merris 9

Bishop 8 (Yalcin 48 min 7)

Nogan 7

Subs not used: Porter, Smith, Webster.

Star man: Merris - created a goal, then scored one and is relishing his new attacking duties.

Carlisle: Glennon, Shelley (Roca 80), Andrews, Grand, Cowan (Arnison 62), McGill, Billy, Lumsdon, Murphy, Hawley, Vieira (Henderson 65). Subs (not used): Preece, Westwood

Yellow cards: Staley 25, Davies 85.

Red cards: Murphy 20

Referee: Stan Gate (Whitley Bay). Rating: Made a few mistakes but was brave enough to brandish a deserved red card.

Attendance: 3,842.

Weather watch: Cool and dry.

Game breaker: Murphy's sending off but only because City capitalised in the correct manner.

Match rating: Excellent disciplined performance by City's young team. Should provide a big confidence boost.

Player watch: Kane Ashcroft

Shots on target: 0.

Shots off target: 0.

Blocked shots: 0.

Passes to own player: 19.

Passes to opposition: 5.

Crosses to own player: 0.

Crosses to opposition: 1.

Pass completion rate: 76 per cent.

Dribbles ball retained: 1.

Dribbles ball lost: 0.

Dribbles success rate: 100 per cent.

Headers: 2. Tackles: 9. Offsides: 0.

Clearances, blocks and interceptions: 6.

Free kicks won: 1. Free kicks conceded: 1. Bookings: 0.

Final summary: An assured full home debut in the centre of midfield. Passed the ball well apart from a late mistake that almost set up a Carlisle equaliser. Made a healthy nine tackles.

Updated: 10:34 Monday, November 29, 2004