MIDFIELD dynamo Darren Dunning believes York City's season has taken a decisive tilt towards the top.

Dunning turned in another impressive performance as City returned to winning ways with Saturday's 2-1 victory over Bristol Rovers.

It was City's first three point haul after a run of four games without a win and Dunning maintains it was particularly significant.

"To bounce back is great and it keeps us up there as well," he enthused. "If we'd lost we would have been in mid-table and it becomes a bit of a dog fight and things can go either way.

"Now we can start looking forward rather than over our shoulders and we can start to look at catching the teams above us.

"We've got two away games coming up but I believe we go into every game looking to win and I think we can win at Macclesfield and Bury.

"I think there's no reason why we can't be looking at six points."

Despite it still being September, a quarter of the season will soon have passed and Dunning believes the league is now taking shape.

Saturday's win lifted City up to fifth in the Division Three table, a fair reflection on the talent in the Minstermen squad, according to the 22-year-old.

"We've got a great squad of players and when you look at the players on the bench, like Christian Fox and Chris Smith, and someone like Jon Parkin to come back, then that proves it," he said.

Dunning maintains one of City's particular strengths is their ability to hold their nerve.

"We didn't get a lot of space against Bristol Rovers but you have to graft and dig it out in this division.

"We had the lead at half-time and that is the fifth time this season we have gone in at half-time in front and not given it away.

"That is a big positive. Your home form is also important in this league and if you can keep winning at home and pick up the odd points away you won't be far away."

Updated: 10:52 Monday, September 22, 2003