MANAGER Terry Dolan is refusing to rest on his laurels after York City's 2-1 win at Leyton Orient boosted the Minstermen's survival hopes and ended a season-long hoodoo.

The Brisbane Road triumph, courtesy of goals from Peter Duffield and Alex Mathie, has lifted City to 20th place, a massive 12 points clear of bottom club Halifax Town with a game in hand on the Shaymen.

City have now lost just once in seven League games while last night's victory was also significant in that it helped seal successive wins for the Minstermen for the first time this season.

However, after savouring a win double Dolan is hungry for more.

With just three points separating City from 12th spot and mid-table respectability the City boss is now looking to make it a hat-trick of wins with victory at Luton Town on Saturday.

"Why not?," said a delighted Dolan. "We couldn't ask for a harder place to go but we will be going there with tremendous confidence."

The City boss admits he has been left with a welcome selection headache for the trip to Kenilworth Road.

Although defender Matt Hocking will miss the clash with the Hatters due to suspension, the City chief will have Chris Brass available after the City skipper sat out last night's game because of a one match ban.

Fellow midfielder Nick Richardson could also have recovered in time for the Luton game. The veteran midfielder was ruled out at the 11th hour last night after suffering a knee injury in training.

However, the accomplished performance of third-year trainee Leigh Wood in midfield clearly delighted Dolan and has left him with much to ponder.

"We will have to wait and see what the team will be for Saturday," said Dolan.

"But Leigh Wood has come in and done very well. In the last few reserve games he has looked more like himself and I felt it was the right time to bring him in with Chris Brass suspended.

"I think Nick Richardson will be alright in a couple of days but we have been careful in not trying to play people who have got injuries."

The only sour point for City was a booking for striker Michael Proctor.

City's top scorer has now picked up five yellow cards meaning he will be suspended for the trip to Plymouth Argyle on March 5.

However, Dolan refused to let that blow detract from a polished team performance.

"I thought in the second-half in particular we played some great football but we came up against another goalkeeper who made some very good saves," he said.

"In the conditions, it was an entertaining game. The pitch was brilliant but the wind and the rain made it very difficult - a lot more difficult than people realised."

Dolan was full of praise for the 250 or so City fans who braved the conditions to cheer the team on from start to finish.

"We always seem to have a good following at Leyton Orient because of all the southern supporters. They always make a lot of noise and at least we were able to send them home happy.

"We also had a coach come down from York and full marks to those people. It was a filthy night but I am sure they will have travelled back happy too."

Updated: 09:08 Wednesday, February 20, 2002