FRESH injury worries could not detract from manager Terry Dolan's delight as York City recorded their first win in more than three months with a 2-1 victory over Hull City.

Lee Nogan, Gary Hobson and Richard Cooper are all now doubtful for Saturday's visit of Lincoln but Dolan preferred to accentuate the positives as City eased their relegation worries with a well-deserved win.

The victory, City's first in the League this year and their first since the end of October, leaves the Minstermen still just one place off the bottom of the Football League.

However, with bottom club Halifax held to a 1-1 draw by Southend City have now moved three points clear of the Shaymen with two games in hand.

"With the conditions and the pitch as it was I thought it was an absolutely magnificent performance," said Dolan.

"I have been saying all along I believe in the players here and sooner or later things would start turning for us.

"Hopefully, this is the start of that and we can all look forward."

The only blots for Dolan were the fresh injury blows picked up against his former club.

Hobson suffered a hamstring injury, Nogan aggravated a calf strain while Cooper was stretchered off with a badly gashed shin.

Dolan is hopeful Nogan may have recovered in time for the visit of the Imps but admits Hobson and Cooper are doubtful for the weekend.

To make matters worse, Chris Smith, who came on for Hobson, is suspended for Saturday following his red card at Rushden and Diamonds.

"Fortunately, we have Lee Bullock and Darren Edmondson available after their suspensions," said Dolan.

"I am disappointed with the injuries but anyone with any sort of muscle injury then that pitch will find them out.

"But it will give somebody else a chance and that is what everybody has been waiting for."

Dolan admitted he was delighted with the way City maintained the level of performance produced against Fulham in the FA Cup on Saturday.

"We got out of the blocks very quickly which we knew we needed to do because Hull have been having one or two problems on their travels this season.

"As I have said over the last two or three weeks, our performances have been steadily improving and it is just disappointing it was only 2-0 at half-time because I felt we played very, very well.

"We certainly had the upper hand and Hull are fifth in the table and we deserved to win the game. We played Rochdale when they were fifth in the table and we deserved to win that.

"I am certainly pleased with the way things are going for us at the moment.""

Dolan was also delighted for striker Peter Duffield, who marked his first start in 16 months with City's second goal.

"It was a fantastic finish," said the City boss.

"That was his first start of the season but as he showed in his first reserve game when he came back he has not lost his eye for goal."

Updated: 11:19 Wednesday, January 30, 2002