YORK City's new goal scoring hero Michael Proctor is hoping the goals will start flowing now he has broken his Minstermen duck.

The on-loan Sunderland striker heads to Shrewsbury Town tonight after bagging his first goal since arriving from the Stadium of Light with a clever second-half chip in Saturday's 2-1 win over Leyton Orient.

Despite impressing in his three previous games in City colours, the 20-year-old admitted not scoring had been starting to pray on his mind.

"The win was the most important thing but I was happy and relieved to get the goal," he said.

"I've been getting a bit of stick from the lads for not scoring so it was nice to get off the mark at last.

"I tried a lob in the first-half, it looked on, but it just went over the bar.

"The second-time I saw the 'keeper was off his line and just had a pop, luckily for me it went in."

In a boost for City fans, Proctor indicated he could be willing to stay at Bootham Crescent when his month-long loan deal expires.

"I am enjoying my football and I'm getting on well with all the lads," he said.

"Obviously, we have got Shrewsbury tonight and Halifax this week but we will see what happens after that."

And while Proctor and his partner Lee Nogan grabbed the goals and headlines, the striker admitted the defence had played a significant part in securing Saturday's three points.

"I thought the defence was brilliant.

"Alan Fettis kept us in the game early on with some great saves and I thought the two centre-halves were superb, especially John Fielding.

"To think it is only his third game in the first team, he has been outstanding."

City boss Terry Dolan revealed a pep talk he gave Proctor at half-time on Saturday had worked wonders for both team and player.

"I said to Michael at half-time just to relax a little bit because he was snatching at things," said Dolan.

"He has been desperate to get a goal since he came here but at least he listened at half-time and his goal was perfect."

Shrewsbury Town boss Kevin Ratcliffe could tinker with his team for the visit of City, despite the Shrews' promising 1-0 win at Oxford United at the weekend.

Midfielder Karl Murray, who missed the game through suspension, is now available and could come in on the left of midfield as Ratcliffe reverts to 4-4-2 from 4-3-3.

Sam Aiston, a thorn in City's side in recent clashes between the two teams, is also fighting for a recall after playing the final 20 minutes of the Oxford game after a spell on the sidelines with injury.

Should Ratcliffe pluck for Murray or Aiston, striker Chris Freestone will drop down to the bench.

Ex-City midfielder Mark Atkins will be out to impress against his former club, especially as he is due to miss Shrewsbury's next couple of games through suspension.

Updated: 09:16 Tuesday, August 28, 2001