LEE Nogan has hailed York City's trident force in spearheading the Minstermen's early rise to the top of Division Three.

With two wins, a draw and seven goals from their opening three games, second-placed City and Nogan head to Scunthorpe United tomorrow confident of extending their unbeaten start to the season.

Nogan admitted the two 'Cs' - competition and confidence - have played vital roles in City's bright start to the new campaign.

But another factor has been the way he and fellow strikers Peter Duffield and Jon Parkin have gelled in a new-look attack.

Between them, the trio have bagged all seven of City's goals with Parkin and Duffield leading the division's goalscoring charts with three apiece.

And such has been the forwards' form that Michael Proctor, City's top scorer last season with 14 goals during a loan spell from Sunderland, has barely been missed.

"We are playing with three up front and it seems to be working for us," admitted Nogan.

"It is a different sort of blend with three different types of players and it has worked well.

"We only played with two up front for the majority of last season and Michael Proctor did very well for us. But we are not missing him at the minute.

"It is nice blend, 'Parky' gives us that extra option with his height and 'Duffs' is a poacher, and it is certainly working well."

The Welsh international added: "Confidence is high and that is so important when you play games.

"Everyone believes in each other now.

"And as long as we keep displaying the same attitude and determination then we will be all right.

"When the lads are getting their confidence dented as has happened in the last two years, it is difficult.

"But there has been a big change around at the club and maybe that has affected everyone, including the team.

"Everyone has come back positive and we are determined to give it a real go."

Competition for places at Bootham Crescent is growing fiercer by the week.

The signing of Brazilian Rogerio means City now have six strikers competing for a place in the first-team line-up.

But while the pressure has been cranked up on those in the team, Nogan would not have it any other way.

"That's what you need," he insisted.

"You set yourself standards and if you go below them then you know you will be out of the side and you can have no complaints.

"We have competition in most areas now and everyone is confident at the moment."

Despite confidence in the camp being sky-high, the 33-year-old striker added that City cannot afford to relax their focus.

"We don't want to get carried away. We are only three games in and things can change dramatically," said Nogan.

Rogerio is included in the squad for tomorrow's trip to Scunthorpe but City will be unchanged with Marlon Beresford retaining thenumber one jersey even though Alan Fettis is now fit.

Lee Bullock (ankle) and Graham Potter (scalded foot) are likely to be among the substitutes for the first time this season after recovering from injury.

However, Christian Fox will be out for two or three weeks with knee ligament damage sustained in the midweek reserves game against Darlington.

York City's youth team will be looking to get their first points in the Football League Youth Alliance North-East Conference tomorrow when they travel to take on Hartlepool United, kickoff 11am.

Updated: 11:58 Friday, August 23, 2002