Scott Lindsey: First away win of season is ‘massive monkey’ off York’s back

York City boss Scott Lindsey felt the Minstermen had removed a “massive monkey” off their back by securing their first away win of the season in a 1-0 victory at Rochdale.

The Crown Oil Arena has been a happy hunting ground for the Yorkshiremen in recent times. They earned promotion from the National League earlier this year by drawing against Dale and went one better this time, with Ollie Pearce’s goal handing them three points.

“It’s a massive monkey off our back for us to get that first away win,” said Lindsey.

“There have been times when we’ve deserved to win away, there haven’t been many where we’ve not played well, we’ve been good away from home. But you do think ‘when is that first away win going to come?’ and it becomes psychological.

“It was a hard-fought win and we became a bit anxious after we got the goal. We sank deeper than the Titanic, but the lads defended really well and took on some real pressure.

“There was some incredible defending on the line. It probably didn’t look anything like us in that last 20 minutes but I’m proud of the players.

“When we settle into the season and we’ve got a few more away games, I don’t think we see that anxiety at the end. I think it was just through circumstances that it ended like that, we were just desperate to get that win for our supporters.”

Pearce netted the winner in the 55th minute, diverting Ollie Banks’ effort into the net.

The result saw Dale drop to third bottom of League Two after a run of six games without a win, but boss Ian Watson said the performance reinforced his belief in his side.

“I can’t say that the table looks good because it doesn’t, that’s just factual,” he said.

“But all we can focus on is improving performance on performance, there’s still lots of games to play.

“I don’t want to make any excuses but I believe we’re going to improve and put a run together. I have a lot of belief in this group, it hasn’t wavered at all. If anything, after today, it bolsters my belief more.

“It was a 50/50 game, two teams trying to play their way with and without the ball. Both teams were quite aggressive off the ball and then with the ball both teams were transitioning, looking to score goals.

“We’ve had three cleared off the line and then a one-on-one at the end of the first half so I’m really disappointed that we haven’t been able to get a goal.

“It’s a really tough one to take because I thought we played really well against a very good team.”