Exultant manager and goal hero Neil Thompson labelled York City's remaining six games 'winnable'.

Smiles all round: Neil Thompson celebrates his injury-time winner for City against Millwall

And he was determined the re-fired Minstermen should do their utmost to achieve that six of the best after staving off a potential six of the worst calamity.

City were a mere few minutes away from defeat on Saturday against visiting Millwall and a club record of six straight losses.

But a magnificent rally crowned by goals from Rodney Rowe three minutes from the final whistle, and Thompson, well into stoppage time, turned the match on its head.

For the first time since toppling Manchester City on December 19 City sampled the joy of winning on their own turf. Though unfavourable results elsewhere ensured City remained in 19th place, still two points away from the relegation places, Saturday's amazing about-turn had rekindled home hopes.

Enthused caretaker-manager Thompson, whose belting penalty was saved by Millwall goalkeeper Ben Roberts: "If we win our games then we will be safe.

"We have three games at home left and I would say that all our matches are winnable. We have not go to fear anybody. I would say there's only Fulham who are a class act in this division.

"When you get into a losing run it becomes a habit. When you get into the habit of winning that breeds belief. That's what we are aiming for."

He conceded that as the game wore on with Millwall going in front deep in the second-half after his spot-kick had been saved midway through the first-half he had a nagging feeling City would suffer further homesickness.

"I struck the penalty as well as I was going to hit it. It was right in the corner, but all credit to the lad, he's made a terrific save," he said.

"We had untold chances, but none had gone in and I was beginning to wonder.

"But we got what we deserved and I am delighted for the players and supporters. The winner was not about me, it was about the players, who have put in such a lot of hard work and the fans, who I think understand what we are trying to do."

Thompson's only grouse was that he would have like to have kept a clean sheet. "But we got the three points and that's even better."

City's other goal-taker Rowe, and his goal-maker Alan Pouton, believed the fans could prove crucial influences in the run-in.

Said Rowe, who took his season's tally to six, a feat emulated by City's caretaker-boss: "We don't like losing just like the crowd don't, but we are trying to put it right. It's not going to be easy, but for the last few games we have to forget all outside stuff and stick together."

Pouton, whose late caution took him to 11 bookings and a ban in just under a fortnight, said fans could not expect an instant switch to better things after the sacking of Alan Little as manager.

"Today the lads have showed a lot of character and commitment. The fans have given us a reception as if we'd won a cup final. I think they understand it takes time, but hopefully we can go on from here."

Tactical triumph

City coach Adie Shaw revealed that goal ace and boss Neil Thompson might not have been on the field to score his dramatic winner.

The caretaker-manager was looking to substitute himself, but instead Shaw plumped for impressive midfielder Martin Garratt in a purely tactical switch that he insisted reflected in no way on the young prospect's performance.

Shaw, City's head of youth development, who is assisting Thompson in the coaching of the senior ranks, confirmed he made the final decision on who came off.

"Neil wanted to come off and at first I was thinking that I might keep Martin Garratt on," said Shaw.

"I was thinking about bringing Alan Pouton off, but then I went for Martin."

Garratt left the field clearly upset at his replacement by Neil Tolson for the final ten minutes and with City still trailing to Millwall. Added Shaw: "He was right to be upset as he had had a good game.

"But we wanted three forwards on. And in bringing Martin off it created more space for Tommo to get more quality into the box from out on the left. It also gave 'Pouts' more room to run at them from central midfield.

"Football is all about decisions and today we have had the right one and it's helped us to get the result we deserved."

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