MANAGER Terry Dolan admitted lessons learned helped York City climb to a 2002 maximum high after a 1-0 win at Swansea's Vetch Field.

The victory, City's third in four outings, lifted Dolan's team up to 18th place in Division Three, their highest position since November last year.

Another win over Carlisle at Bootham Crescent tomorrow could see the Minstermen climb a further three places to 15th spot.

It would also be the first time this season City have secured three wins in successsion.

But Dolan said it was City's last two away-day defeats - at Macclesfield and Exeter - that had paved the way for Saturday's triumph in South Wales.

Against both the Silkmen and the Grecians City squandered leads and went on to lose both games.

"I'm absolutely delighted," Dolan said.

"I was pleased that we showed we have learned from our two previous away performances where we have twice taken the lead but not held on to it.

"We sat down before the game and talked about how to win and we did. Once we scored I never felt we were in any danger of losing.

"The conditions were not ideal and meant it was never going to be a classic.

"The pitch was very hard and uneven which made it difficult. The wind was also a big factor.

"But we didn't make any mistakes and we created the better chances."

He added: "It was a very professional performance.

"We were nine-tenths away from doing a similar job at Exeter before losing to a penalty in the last minute. We were not that far away from taking something from Macclesfield.

"But we saw the job through this time and it is very satisfying."

The City chief singled out full debutant Stuart Wise, a second-year trainee, for special mention.

"I was pleased with Stuart Wise because it is the first time he has started a game and when you think he was playing against the likes of Mamady Sidibe and John Williams he did very well.

"But all the defence, Scott Jones and Chris Brass, did very well and gave us a strong platform.

"I was also pleased for Aidan O'Kane. It was his first game for a while and I thought he had a good game."

City manager Dolan also made a special mention of the small band of City fans who had made the long trip to Swansea.

"I'd also like to say a big thank-you to the 70 or so supporters who watched us," said the City chief.

"I hope we rewarded them with a good display, a win and three points."

The win means City have now secured 50 points, just two short of last season's total with four games left to play.

Said Dolan: "The 52 points are in sight but tomorrow will be difficult.

Carlisle are an aggressive team and will offer a stiff challenge."

Carlisle meanwhile have parted company with manager Roddy Collins after less than a year in charge.

The on-off saga of the proposed takeover at Brunton Park has taken its toll on the Irishman, who twice threatened to resign but was beaten to the punch by the Cumbrians' board. The straw that broke the camel's back came after Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Shrewsbury when Collins voiced his frustration over the delay of the take-over.

A board statement said the directors were "astonished" by Collins' statement and said his outburst had upset both current owner Michael Knighton and would-be buyer John Courtenay.

It added: "It is in the best interest of Carlisle United Football Club that Roddy Collins be relieved of his duties forthwith."

York City's intermediates suffered a 3-1 defeat at Mansfield in the latest Youth Alliance Merit Section. After falling behind to an early goal, a Scott Emmerson strike restored parity for the City youngsters, who included six under-16s and one under-15 in their ranks, but two more goals for the Stags saw the home side through.

The City teenagers were without the services of the club's international starlet Levent Yalcin, who was rested after his time away with the Turkish Under-18 squad last week.

As reported in the Evening Press, Yalcin scored in the Turks' 1-1 draw with Germany in Neunkirchen. He then made it two goals in two games as he netted the winner as Turkey beat Germany 2-1 in Volkingen.

Updated: 11:25 Monday, April 08, 2002