A STRING of poor results were resigned to the history books as City overcame the odds - and Unibond form team Harrogate Town - to bag three priceless Unibond Premier Division points on Saturday.

A first half header from tricky Peter Thomson was enough to beat Town - only recently named as the league's 'club of the month' - and put the Dolly Blues back in the thick of the fight for a top 13 finish.

But this was a victory largely built on defence, with the returning John Robertson outstanding at the heart of a stubborn back line which constantly frustrated the home forwards.

It had looked bleak for City in the opening exchanges as Mark Atkins let fly from distance to beat Kevin Welsby but see his shot dip narrowly over the bar.

But Lancaster had their share of adventures too - mainly thanks to Neil Prince as he made a nuisance of himself down the left flank.

It was from an inswinging corner on the left that City made the vital breakthrough, Thomson beating everyone to it with his head to head past Town keeper Ashley Connor from around eight yards.

He could have doubled the advantage eight minutes later as Phil Clarkson's pass sent him clear in a one-on-one with Connor but centre back Chris Hudson got back to make a saving challenge as Thomson delayed.

City might also have had a penalty as prince seemed to be up-ended in the box by Richard Dunning on 30 minutes.

But from that point on it was virtually one-way traffic with Town doing all the driving.

Mark Barnard should have equalised as he was picked out at the far post by Robert Pell but placed his shot wide.

And in the second period it was Pell's turn to be guilty of a glaring miss as he missed the target when it looked easier to score.

But by and large it was Roberston, Kilbane, Sparrow and new signing Martin Clark - back at the Giant Axe for a second spell - who held sway despite the pressure put on them.

CITY: Welsby, Clark, Scott, Kilbane, Robertson, Sparrow, Clarkson, Jones, Thomson, Sullivan, Prince (Elderton 70).