MANAGER Terry Dolan refused to be downcast as York City lost ground in the race for an automatic promotion berth.

The Minstermen were never at their best as struggling Rochdale held City to a 2-2 draw in an eventful match at Bootham Crescent.

A number of City's other promotion rivals also dropped points but Wrexham consolidated their position in third place thanks to a 3-2 win over Bristol Rovers.

Rubbing salt into City wounds was the fact Wrexham's winning goal came just two minutes from time.

However, while conceding City had played poorly against his former club, manager Dolan preferred to look to the positives.

"We didn't play well enough to win the game, as simple as that," said the City chief.

"Everybody is disappointed but when you don't play as well as you can do and you still pick up a point then you have got to be pleased with it.

"Torquay, Bury and Scunthorpe will also be disappointed because they have dropped points and that is what we have got to take out of the game."

With Rochdale happy to get men behind the ball, particularly in the first half, Dolan admitted he was disappointed with City's tactics of hitting long, hopeful balls.

"We knew what we wanted to do but we didn't do it well enough," said the City boss.

"We wanted to be patient and keep the ball better and when we got the second goal that is what we should have done.

"The pitch doesn't help because it is hard to pass it around but we didn't do it well enough.

"We played far too many long balls up to their big number five and that played into their hands."

Updated: 11:42 Monday, April 14, 2003