York City midfielder Lee Bullock is out to banish a haunting hoodoo hanging over him.

The 19-year-old turned in his most promising performance of the season in last Friday's 2-1 win over Mansfield Town and is basking in the limelight of an extended first team run.

The youngster's stylish showing against the Stags was almost capped by a goal but Bullock was crestfallen to see his long range effort cannon back of the bar.

Speaking to the Evening Press ahead of tomorrow's trip to Southend United, Bullock, who is yet to score in 34 appearances for the Minstermen, admitted his lack of goals was a cause for concern he was anxious to put right.

"It does play on my mind," he admitted. "I keep trying to get forward, keep trying to get in the box and one day, hopefully, it will come and a few might follow."

Bullock's lack of goals is more suprsiing becasue in pre-season last year he bagged four goals in just a handful of appearacnes.

"I do like to get forward and I'm just hoping that first goal will come soon, the sooner the better and hopefully on Saturday," he said.

With injury ruling out Kevin Hulme and Bullock nipping ahead of Scott Jordan in the pecking order, goals or not the Stockton-born youngster admits he is relishing a prolonged stay in the heart of the City engine room.

Bullock, who made 17 starts last term but never more than six in succession, said: "It has come well for me. I need a long run in the team to build up my confidence and get my match fitness.

"Last season when I just started to get a run I got injured and then I got back in for another few games before I got injured again.

"This time I'm hoping to stay injury free and stay in the team and get as many games in as I can."

Bullock said he was much happier playing, as he did against Mansfield, in a midfield of four. Prior to that, Bullock had been named in a midfield trio alongside Jordan and skipper Steve Agnew.

"I enjoyed it last week," he told the Evening Press. "I prefer playing in a formation where we have wingers.

"It means me and Aggers can get on the ball and have a wideman in Kieron Durkan to pass to and I think that formation suits us all better.

"Aggers is brilliant. He talks you through in training, before games and all through matches.

"He is a great pro and he helps the young lads here.

"Kieron just stays out wide and you know if you get the ball he is there and if you hit him he will get at them and put the crosses in."

Bullock, who signed a two year extension to his contract during the summer, admits the ankle injury he suffered at the end of last season had held him back at the start of this.

"I can feel myself getting sharper and better as the games go by," he said.

"I can just feel myself getting stronger and more match fit.

"At the end of last season I tore all my ligaments and it was in pot all summer before I came back for the first day of pre-season.

"I came back and I didn't want to get injured and I was a bit worried about my ankle at the start but now it feels strong and I just want this run to continue."

York City intermediates will be looking to maintain the form that saw them dispatch with Hull City 4-1 last Saturday when they entertain their counterparts from Bradford at the club's Wigginton Road training ground tomorrow, kick-off 11am.

The City youngsters will be looking for a good performance ahead of their rearranged FA Youth Cup tie at Mansfield on Wednesday.