YORK City goalkeeper Chris Porter has thanked Mark Ovendale for his help after replacing his fellow stopper to make his Minstermen debut on Saturday.

Porter has had to wait patiently to play his first senior game for City with Ovendale, nicknamed 'Gloves' by his team-mates, playing every match since the pair both arrived at the club in the summer.

The former Darlington goalkeeper has developed a close relationship with Ovendale, 30, despite their rivalry but realises that their position is unique in that you only usually get your opportunity if your friend loses form or is injured.

He, therefore, appreciated Ovendale's support and advice before his first start against Torquay.

Porter said: "I felt some sympathy for Gloves but, at the same time, when your chance comes you have to take it. We have a really good relationship and the first thing Gloves did when the gaffer named the team was to come over and wish me all the best and said he hoped I kept a clean sheet which I thought was very nice and got me right up for it at the same time.

"We had a good warm-up and he talked me through what some of their players do when I did not really know. He was a big help, as was the crowd when they gave my name a big cheer and did the same for the rest of the lads."

Porter has previously been employed at Sunderland, Hartlepool and Southend without making a first-team appearance but did not fear that lightning was going to strike for a fourth time at Bootham Crescent.

He does admit, however, that Saturday's call-up was slightly unexpected with manager Chris Brass not breaking the news until the eve of the match.

The 24-year-old keeper said: "The gaffer rang me on Friday evening because he did not name the team until Saturday. He just told me to get my head around it and get on with it.

"It was a surprise really. Gloves said himself that he did not do too well the other night against Scunthorpe and the gaffer has always said that I would get a chance and, when I did, that it was just a matter of taking it.

"I did not really know when it would come though with Gloves playing fantastic all season. I was not really nervous before the game and was more anxious to play.

"I have been doing well in the reserves and just wanted to take that form into the first team. I took the first cross and just got more and more confident after that.

"The clean sheet pleased me more than anything, especially after conceding a lot in the last few games."

Porter's shut-out in Saturday's 0-0 draw was very welcome after the side had shipped seven goals in their last two matches.

Defenders Richard Hope and Chris Smith were also recalled to the starting line-up and Porter praised the part his back three played in holding the promotion-chasing Devon club, saying: "Richard Hope came back in from injury and he's like a rock, winning balls in the air.

"He's like a nutter and Stuart Wise is the same. They go in for tackles with their heads."

Porter's aim now is to stay between the sticks until the end of the season and he is joining a growing number of City players who want to pledge their future to the club in the summer.

He said: "I set a target of ten first-team games for myself earlier this season so that would be just about right if I stayed in until the end of the season. Then, without a doubt, I would be happy to stay here.

"Even though I have been number two all season, I have always felt part of the squad whereas I have been at other clubs and felt like I wasn't involved. That's down to the gaffer who keeps all the lads together. We have got a nice squad."

Updated: 10:34 Wednesday, March 17, 2004