CHRIS Holloway hailed York City Ladies’ “unbelievable” performance as they secured their safety in the FA Women’s National League Division One North with a 2-0 victory at Middlesbrough.

Despite being at opposite ends of the table prior to kick-off, second-half goals from Jess Holder and Ocean Rolandsen saw the Minsterbelles end their opponents’ staggering 19-game unbeaten streak in Stockton.

The result sees City finish three points above the drop, with a four-match unbeaten streak - including a priceless win against Chester le Street Town and draw with champions Hull City - integral to their survival in the division.

“It’s been a difficult week in terms of trying to keep your feet on the ground,” Holloway told the club’s media team.

“Everybody that I spoke to was saying ‘it’s got to be a 15-goal swing’, but being in football so long, you just never ever know.

“It was so important that we got the girls focused and that we just came here and gave it everything.

“As you saw there, that was an unbelievable performance. We’ve come up against a team 19 unbeaten and who have just missed out, they’ve got some phenomenal players.

“The girls have just been superb.”

Middlesbrough started the better of the sides, with Guy heading a corner over Becky Sidwell’s crossbar before captain Nikki Brown was on hand to thwart Jess Mett’s attempted cross.

Lauren Robson then beat the offside trap, but York were able to clear as she looked to set up her teammate.

The Minsterbelles grew into the match, with Holder winning the ball back in midfield and bursting towards the box, but she could not keep her strike below the crossbar.

Ella Duffield was next to try her luck 10 minutes before the break after carving out some space on the edge of the box. However, Wareham was on hand to make a comfortable save.

City continued to threaten, with Holder firing just wide, but it was Middlesbrough who had the best chance before the break when Robson latched onto a perfectly-weighted through ball, but she missed the target with an empty goal at her disposal.

Goalless at the interval, it was Holloway’s side who broke the deadlock in the 55th minute.

Abby Towers was given her marching orders after upending Sophie Tinson inside the box, with Holder making no mistake to slot home the resultant penalty.

With momentum swinging in the visitors’ favour, Rolandsen was next to try her luck after breaking through the Middlesbrough defence, shooting over the bar before Tinson fired narrowly wide.

But a second goal did eventually come for the Minsterbelles with eight minutes remaining.

Having seen substitute Felicity Jones wiped out by the home goalkeeper, Rolandsen stepped up to bend a sublime free-kick into the top corner to seal a vital victory.