York City's renaissance continues and proof, if it were needed, that this remarkable upturn in fortunes is a genuine one.

It took a couple of superbly-timed and well-placed substitutions to turn the tide in City's favour but once the Minstermen got in their stride it was remarkably easy.

Rather like Southend United in midweek but in reverse, City struggled to get a grip of the game in the first-half.

But after the break, backed by a wind that had underscored the Stags' relative ascendancy in the first, their pressure was relentless.

Just as against the Shrimpers, City carried a threat at every foray with every player demanding the ball.

The only disappointment was the victory was not more comprehensive. It would have been deserved.

Rarely can substitutions have been used to such devastating effect.

City were 1-0 down after an uninspiring first 45 minutes but, with the withdrawal of Marc Thompson for Graham Potter, started the second 45 renewed and transformed.

Thompson, naturally right-footed, had done little wrong but Potter, a left-footer, immediately gave City greater balance and more impetus going forward.

Suddenly, City were in the ascendancy and it was notable that both Potter and Richard Cooper on the right flank were now playing beyond City's midfield, unlike the first when the wing-backs were pushed back and forced to play as a back-five.

Ten minutes into the half, Colin Alcide came on for David McNiven to become the hub of the wheel and the City fightback started in earnest.

With his first touch Alcide released Potter, who finished clinically stroking the ball past former City goalkeeper Bobby Mimms.

With pretty much his second Alcide gave City the lead, finishing off a sweeping five-man Minstermen move involving Nick Richardson, Potter, Lee Nogan and Lee Bullock.

And the striker-cum-centre-back and now seemingly striker again also had a prominent part to play in City's third and final goal, latching on to Mark Bower's ball down the left before crossing to the far post for Nogan to tap home his second goal in as many matches.

With a two goal cushion, City could afford to sit back but such is their new-found confidence they turned the screw.

It was so one-sided it was possible to feel almost sorry for a now ragged Town left to chase shadows.

City knocked it around almost arrogantly and both Bullock and Nogan had good chances to give the scoreline a deserved sheen.

Indeed, until deep into stoppage time when he pawed away a Micky Boulding header, Alan Fettis was largley a spectator.

To be truthful, the second-half was in stark contrast to the first when neither side had the upper hand or dominated possession but City in particular were laboured.

A young Mansfield side were slicker and more adventurous going forward on a sticky, rutted surface that did little to add to the spectacle and the goal that gave them the lead on 25 minutes was just about deserved.

Fettis was at full stretch to turn a stinging drive from full debutant Liam Lawrence around the post but from the resultant corner the young midfielder played a neat one two with Bobby Hassell and made no mistake second time around.

It could have been worse for City just five minutes from the break when the otherwise faultless Matt Hocking appeared to upend Chris Greenacre.

The City defender certainly missed the ball with his outstretched leg but nor did he seem to make contact with Greenacre.

It was a close call which shaved in City's favour but there was nothing close about what followed.

City players are hitting form at just the right time and the bogies continue to be slaughtered too.

Not only did City stretch their unbeaten run to five games, but this victory leaves the Minstermen celebrating their first back-to-back triumphs.

In their current form, few would back against them making it a hat-trick of wins tomorrow night when Darlington visit Bootham Crescent.

* Ex-York City defender Mark Sertori has signed with basement rivals Shrewsbury Town for a month. The 33-year-old veteran made his debut this weekend for the Shrews, coming on as a substitute for the last eight minutes against hosts Exeter City, who won 1-0.

Mansfield 1, York City 3

Mansfield: Bobby Mimms, Lee Williams (Lee Williamson 70mins), Les Robinson, Alistair Asher, Bobby Hassell, Wayne Corden (Danny Bacon 73mins), Craig Disley, Mark Blake, Liam Lawrence, Micky Boulding, Chris Greenacre Subs not used: Kevin Pilkington, Andy White, David Jervis Booked: Disley 74mins (foul)

Sent off: None Scorer: Lawrence 25mins

York City : Alan Fettis 7, Richard Cooper 8, Barry Jones 7, Matt Hocking 8, Mark Bower 7 (Gary Hobson 82mins), Marc Thompson 6 (Graham Potter 46mins, 7), Lee Bullock 7, Steve Agnew 7, Nick Richardson 8, Lee Nogan 8, David McNiven 6 (Colin Alcide 55mins, 8) Subs, not used: Russ Howarth, Alex Mathie

Booked: Bower 4mins (dissent), Agnew 43mins (foul) Sent off: None Scorers: Potter 56mins, Alcide 59mins, Nogan 69mins Lee Nogan

A nap hand of contenders but a goal aside, worked tirelessly leading the line. Always willing, always available.

Updated: 13:10 Monday, March 12, 2001