YORK City captain Manny Panther is certain the Minstermen will grasp their Conference play-off opportunity with "both hands".

The skipper, fresh from a Press man of the match display in City's vital 3-1 win over Rushden and Diamonds at KitKat Crescent, believes they can handle the pressure as the season reaches its climax.

That victory gave City a five-point advantage over sixth-placed Gravesend - who have a game in hand - and they now take their fantastic away bandwagon to struggling Stafford Rangers on Saturday knowing a victory would put them on the brink of securing a play-off spot.

Panther knows the trip will be a tough one but says City, whose destiny is in their own hands, should be confident of notching up a 13th Conference away win of the season.

And he also admitted he is enjoying the current campaign so much, he doesn't want it to end.

"The play-offs are in our hands. We are not relying on other teams to get beat. It is in our hands and that's the best way. We can handle the pressure. I believe we perform at our best when we are under pressure," Panther said.

"There was pressure against Rushden and Diamonds and I think it (our performance) shows we are meeting it and that we can handle the obstacles.

"I am sure we will grab the opportunity we have got. There are three games to go and we won't let it slip away - we will grab it with both hands.

"These games at Stafford and Southport (April 21) will be tough. They are fighting for their lives to stay in the league and we need points. We know they are going to be hard but we will approach them the way we approach every away game.

"We should be confident. When we go away, teams like to leave the door open and that suits our style of play. We have been excellent away from home all season and we want to continue that.

"We have worked really hard on the pitch and off it and we definitely want to win all of our remaining three games. Personally, I don't want the season to end.

"For the first time in my short career, I want to keep playing on because I am enjoying it. We are winning games. We've got a good young squad, a good manager, good coaches and great fans. I just want to continue what has been a tremendous season.

"At the start, the aim was to improve on last year but we have been playing so well. I believe we have got the best squad in the league and we are playing the best football in the league. So why not push on?"

Meanwhile, online bookmaker Blue Square has announced a new three-year sponsorship of the Football Conference beginning at the start of next season.

The Conference will become The Blue Square Premier, Conference North will become Blue Square Northern, while Conference South will be known as Blue Square Southern.