LANCASTER City's promotion chase is back on after a thumping victory over Gainsborough Trinity at the Axe.

Michael Yates took his tally to five goals in just four games as City's slick, passing football tore Trinity to pieces.

The result leaves Lancaster in second place in the Unibond league before this Saturday's game against Colwyn Bay, a tie which could see the Dolly Blues welcome back hot-shot Andy Whittaker after injury.

Yates could have opened the scoring early on when a cross from Colin Potts found him six yards out, however his glancing header went just wide of the far post.

Steve Birks also had a shot saved before City took the lead on 19 minutes.

The move started with a Gainsborough corner, cleared easily to Brian Butler.

The hard working Butler - City's undoubted man of the match before his substitution half-way through the second half - broke away and carried the ball from the edge of his own box to the edge of Gainsborough's.

He ignored attackers to his left and right and shot himself.

The effort was blocked by a posse of defenders, but fell kindly to Yates, who finished coolly.

It must be a long time since Lancaster City have scored a goal as classy as their second on Saturday.

It started on their own goal-line with a Thornley clearance which was headed on by Birks to Potts, Brian Welch, Butler and Lee Clitheroe before reaching Yates who finished off the keeper's legs.

Gainsborough rallied for the remainder of the half, but City would still have been disappointed by the goal they conceded.

A straight forward through ball found Gareth Williams eight yards out and he slotted the ball past Thornley.

City came out stronger in the second half and, on the hour, a Potts corner from the left was missed by the Gainsborough defence and a Yates shot found Brian Welch who fired home from close range.

At this stage, Barrie Stimpson's side appeared able to score at will and, four minutes later, Butler got the goal he richly deserved after a through ball from Welch unpicked the defence.

Birks made it three goals in 10 minutes with a well struck half volley after a punch from the Gainsborough keeper failed to clear any distance.

Gainsborough managed to pull another goal back in the last minute.

For the most part, they struggled going forward, putting skipper Ian Gore, normally a centre half who never got on the score sheet in his 200 or so games for Blackpool, up front as an emergency striker.

They got a moment of good luck when a shot by Phil Brown bobbled over Mark Thornley.