After last Saturday's largely tepid and pointless start to the new campaign, the result should have been all that mattered to York City at Torquay United on Saturday even at this very early stage of the season.

But the three very welcome points picked up at Plainmoor were perhaps only the icing on the cake of a very good day at the office for Terry Dolan and his Minstermen for come the final reckoning Saturday's performance may prove even more decisive.

Of course, one victory, and that accrued against a side who only safeguarded their Football League status on the final day of last season, does not mean City's dark days of yesterday - and even last week - have suddenly been banished.

Torquay United 0 v 3 York City

Torquay United: Dearden, Tully, Herrera, Healy (Rees 78mins), Aggrey, McNeil, Brandon, Bedeau (Hill 46mins), Williams (Roach 46mins), Graham, Russell

Subs, not used: Jones, Greyling

Goals: None

Booked: Roach 73mins (foul)

Sent-off: None

City: Fettis 8, Edmondson 7, Potter 7, Basham 8, Fielding 8, Cooper 8, Brass 8, Bullock 7 (Wood 78mins), O'Kane 6, Proctor 8, Nogan 7 (Emmerson 87mins)

Subs, not used: Howarth, Hocking, Smith

Goals: Bullock 31mins, Basham 45mins, Nogan 49mins

Booked: Basham 49mins (foul), Potter 50mins (foul)

Sent-off: None

City man of the match: Michael Proctor. A decisive role in two of City's three goals. Worked hard throughout, linked well with Nogan and produced some dazzling bits of skill to unlock the Torquay defence.

Half-time: Torquay 0 City 2

Shots on target: Torquay 2 City 7

Corners: Torquay 3 City 14

Fouls committed: Torquay 10 City 14

Attendance: 2,659

Referee: Bill Jordan (Tring, Herts)

City's next match: versus Crewe Alexandra at Bootham Crescent on Tuesday, August 21, at Bootham Crescent in the first round of the Worthington Cup, kick-off 7.45pm.

Updated: 09:40 Monday, August 20, 2001