Ton-Up manager Alan Little celebrated two milestones, which, could yet propel York City to their third promotion scramble in five seasons.

Besides the conquest of Bristol Rovers enabling City to amass 50 points, the triumph was also the 100th of Little's tenure as City boss, the century posted after a total of 273 League and cup games since he assumed control of the club five years ago.

Too canny to actually refer to the Division Two play-offs, Little nevertheless hinted that the return of three points from Rovers' stronghold promised the prospect of a reward from the next nine weeks.

"I'm not promising anything and I'm not going to shout about anything, but we have showed there just might be something there at the end of the season," said a delighted City manager.

"It's a good measure of the strength of character in the side that we have come here and won.

"Bristol Rovers were thinking about the play-offs themselves and they have a huge game next against Bristol City. They were hyped up. But we have won and now we are just three points off Rovers."

Such was the value of the Memorial Ground success that Little hailed it ''the most important win'' of City's season so far. It was not until the penultimate match of last term that City got past the 50-points mark.

But to maximise last night's impact fully the Minstermen needed to match the result at struggling Preston in four days' time.

He explained: "We have got those 50 points now. That helps us relax and take a look at the next nine games to see what we can achieve.

"Now we really have to win at Preston on Saturday. The thing we haven't really done this second-half of the season is to follow up a good result.

"We need to get two wins on the bounce. That's got to be the next aim. If we do, then with the home games we have, we can give it a go.

"If we were to finish with, say, 65 points then, after the last two years we have had, it would be a real good season. But maybe we can look for a bit more."

Little's predecessor John Ward, manager of second-placed Bristol City, who entertain Rovers in what promises to be a fierce derby on Saturday, endorsed the Minstermen's triumph.

After watching his old club prevail in atrocious conditions Ward said: "They weathered an early storm and finished strongly. They were strong, especially in defence, and fully deserved their win."

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