DON'T look down is the warning call being issued by York City defender Darren Edmondson, desperate to wipe from memory the Minstermen's 4-0 derby drubbing.

Still smarting from last Saturday's defeat at Hull, Edmondson told the Evening Press the defeat had merely given City added incentive to reek revenge over tomorrow's visitors, Luton Town.

"We are desperate to bounce back. We need to get the Hull game out of the system and I'm sure the fans do too," he said.

Despite last Saturday's crushing blow, City still lie handily placed in ninth in Division Three.

However Edmondson, desperate to keep on the coat-tails of the early pacesetters, insisted City cannot afford to be content with life in the comfort zone of mid-table.

Instead, maintained the right-back, City need to keep their focus fixed on the top half with three points tomorrow their immediate aim.

"We have got Luton at home and Carlisle away on Tuesday and if we can get four or six points from then we will be up there," he reasoned.

"It is all about getting to the 15-20 games mark and being in with a shout because that keeps the confidence growing.

And while City could be relatively satisfied with having taken nine points from their opening six games - it took them 11 matches last season to reach that figure - Edmondson insisted City can afford only to look forward.

"It will count for nothing if we don't pick points up in the next six or seven games.

"We need to keep in the top half at least to keep the momentum going and the confidence will be there then."

Adding credence to Edmondson's claims are the fact City have enjoyed a promising start to the campaign while they are still finding their feet.

"We are still finding out about ourselves," said the former Carlisle defender.

"We have changed formation and we haven't got a big man up front anymore that we can aim at.

"So we have got to keep it down, pass it more, and play to our strengths. But we can only improve."

Still reeling from last week's defeat, Edmondson insisted City had to learn from their mistakes.

In particular, the 29-year-old is adamant City must turn in performances that last 90 minutes.

"It was our worst performance of the season," he conceded.

"It was a bit of a shock but I suppose it was a bit of a kick-up the backside. You have got to earn the right to play.

"In the first-half we probably matched them without ever really being on song but in the second-half they steamrollered us a little bit.

"We have got to grow up quick and realise you have got to battle to start with. If you win that you can come through in the end."

Edmondson added: "We played well in spells at Hull but it was only in spells and spells isn't enough. We also conceded four goals which is far too many and we have got to address that."

Updated: 12:08 Friday, September 14, 2001