CITY skipper Stephen Darby believes in-form Mark Yeates has earned his dramatic change in fortunes.

The Irishman scored a stunning late winner at Preston on Saturday to continue his renaissance.

Yeates struck just 50 seconds after the high-flying home side had levelled as City became the first visiting side to triumph at Deepdale since February.

Darby, who was involved in the build-up, said: “Yeatesy has come up with a great goal and one he deserved because he’s been brilliant for us.

“Last season probably didn’t go the way he would have liked but he’s working really hard for the team as well as showing his quality.

“You can see why he’s played at a higher level. He’s shown his quality in a lot of games this season and he produced that bit of magic to win it for us.”

Preston were unbeaten at home for 20 games – and had not lost in the league there since December.

City had taken only one point from their previous five matches but dramatically defied the odds to the delight of the 1,300 travelling fans.

“It was a massive team performance,” said Darby. “You can’t carry anyone when you come to a place like this and everybody put in so much hard work.

“When they got the goal back, it looked like our efforts would be snatched away. But as we’ve shown over the last few years, we’ve got that never-say-die attitude.

“The lads really want to work for each other and we’ll keep going to the end. You can see when the balls come into the box, everyone’s prepared to put their bodies on the line.

“Look at someone like Rory (McArdle) who will stick his head in where it hurts. He was throwing himself in the way of everything.

“They put us under pressure in the second half but we stood up to it really well.”

City now face back-to-back home games against strugglers Gillingham and Leyton Orient. Darby hopes the weekend win will provide a timely boost as they look to straighten out their results at Valley Parade.

He added: “We need to kick on from this, take confidence from a real team performance and put that into the next game coming up.

“In this league, it’s just about finding that consistency and putting a run together can shoot you up the table again.

“We’re not getting carried away because it’s only one result but we’ve got to take the positives.

“Preston are a good side. They got to the play-offs last season and have made a strong start again.

“Their home record has been excellent, so to upset that is a credit to everyone.”

City have extended Andy Halliday’s loan until January 17. The Middlesbrough winger played alongside Jason Kennedy in the middle again and Phil Parkinson has been pleased with his versatility.

He said: “I thought Andy closed things down really well, snapped into a few challenges and set the tone.

“He’s getting fitter, simple as that. He can play several positions and made a goal for us.”