GOAL poacher Peter Duffield underlined his recovery from a career-threatening injury in stunning fashion.

The former Darlington hit-man bagged a super-quick first-half hat-trick in City reserves' 3-2 home win over Blackpool.

It was Duffield's first competitive outing since breaking his leg in a freak training ground incident at the start of the season.

When he suffered the sickening blow, the 32-year-old striker was just making his way back to fitness after suffering a double fracture of the same leg 11 months earlier. He admitted contemplating hanging up his boots.

However, Duffield wasted no time in getting back among the goals last night, taking just 15 minutes to find the back of the net when he latched on to Russ Howarth's punt forward to lob the ball over Blackpool 'keeper Mark Russell.

He added a second on 34 minutes, heading home at the far post from Kieran Darlow's cross, and then, after Blackpool had pulled a goal back, wrapped up his hat-trick on 42 minutes, again superbly lobbing Russell from 35 yards.

Speaking to the Evening Press, a delighted Duffield, who was substituted at half-time, admitted his comeback couldn't have gone any better and immediately set his sights on a first team return.

"I had a little celebration when I got my first because it was such a relief," he said.

"It breaks a barrier and to get three in 45 minutes is just great and sets me up with a bit of confidence.

"It is not about performances at the minute, it is about getting my sharpness back.

"I feel strong and the leg is not a problem so I am chuffed to bits. And I am more pleased that I got through a few challenges.

"But a performance like that helps because I want to get back into the first team as quickly as possible. The sooner I get the nod the better."

Even though it was played before just a handful of spectators Duffield hailed the fixture as the most significant of his career.

"That was the most important game I have ever played," he confessed.

"All the games I have played before count for nothing.

"After an injury like I've had you just don't know what is going to happen and next Wednesday's reserve game will be the most important game again.

"To be honest, I was panicking before the game when I was as nervous as I have ever been.

"I know one more bad injury and that could be it so it. But I always knew I could turn that nervous energy into a positive."

Duffield was quick to pay tribute to his team-mates.

"When you have been out for as long as I have, coming into the reserves can be hard if the rest of the lads are flat," he explained.

"It makes it easier when the lads play as they did. The attitude was spot-on."

In another lift for City, boss Terry Dolan confirmed Mark Maley will stay at Bootham Crescent until the end of the season.

City have reached agreement with Sunderland to keep the defender in a similar loan deal that ensures striker Michael Proctor stays for the rest of the campaign.

Updated: 12:00 Thursday, December 13, 2001