STEVE Robinson's time in the top flight with Tottenham Hotspur was over in a blink of an eye.

Three seasons at White Hart Lane saw the attacking midfielder chalk-up just two appearances for the north London giants.

In the 1994-95 season he was shipped out on loan to Leyton Orient but failed to register appearance for the Os.

His career was going nowhere fast. Until, that is, Bournemouth boss Mel Machin took a gamble on the Northern Ireland-born player and brought him to Dean Court on a free transfer.

Robinson was one of the former Manchester City manager's first signings at Bournemouth but has proved to be one of his shrewdest.

His potential was underlined in that first season when he bagged five goals in 32 appearances.

A virtual ever present in the Cherries' line-up over the next three seasons, Robinson was the club's second top scorer with ten goals last term as Bournemouth finished ninth - their highest position in Machin's six-year reign.

In October, he suffered a smashed eye socket and broken nose following an accidental clash of heads in the 2-1 defeat at the hands of Barnsley in the Worthington Cup.

Now back to full fitness, he has already notched seven goals this term, including three in his last four games and the winner in Bournemouth's 1-0 FA Cup second round victory over Torquay last Saturday.

A regular in Northern Ireland's Under-21 squad, Robinson was rewarded for his consistency and became the Cherries' first full international for five years 18 months ago.

More appearances have yet to follow for his country, but if his current run of form continues it can only be a matter of time before Lawrie McMenemy brings the stylish 5ft 9in playmaker back into the international fold.

Robinson, who celebrated his 24th birthday yesterday, has clearly benefited from the permanent move of another capital reject with Premiership pedigree to Dean Court.

Diminutive dynamo Mark Stein's move from Chelsea on a free at the beginning of this season has given Robinson an ever-ready outlet for his pinpoint passes.

Stein has already bagged 16 goals, adding to the four he notched at the end of last season while on a three month loan from the west London glamour club.

And with last season's top scorer Steve Fletcher returning from injury and signalling his intent with a goal in Bournemouth's 2-0 win over Reading in the Auto Windscreens Shield in midweek, York's defensive know-how is sure to be tested to the limits.

Match points

Bournemouth v York City

Nationwide League Division Two

(at Dean Court, tomorrow 3pm)

City have not lost on their last four visits to Dean Court.

In 1994-95 they won 4-1 with Paul Barnes notching a hat-trick. City have drawn their last three trips including the corresponding game last term which ended 0-0.

In total City have made 19 league visits to Bournemouth, winning four times and drawing six.

Their heaviest defeats on this ground were 5-1 in 1981-82 and 4-0 in 1970-71 and 1984-85.

Players who have represented both clubs include Ted MacDougall, Phil Boyer, Paul Aimson, Micky Cave, Gary Hewlett, Adrian Randall, and goalkeeper Roger Jones.

As last season the match is City's 21st of the campaign. A year ago they went into the game in seventh position having won eight, drawn five and lost seven, scoring 26 goals and conceding 24, and had 29 points.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.