YORK City boss Terry Dolan has been charged by the Football Association following his touchline dust-up at Rushden and Diamonds.

The City chief was sent to the stands at Nene Park during the 2-1 defeat earlier this month by referee David Crick.

Dolan has now been charged with improper conduct, making abusive and/or insulting comments to a match official.

The City boss has until March 24 to respond but has told the Evening Press he will not be contesting the charge.

Speaking after the match with the Diamonds, Dolan confirmed he had been sent from the dug-out for protesting too vehemently at the awarding of a free-kick to the home side.

He also revealed he had gone to the referee's changing room after the game to apologise.

"Maybe I'm guilty of being over-passionate," he said.

"But it is the first time it has happened to me in 16 years of management and it has made me rather upset."

Rather then dwell on the disciplinary rap Dolan instead targeted the third automatic promotion spot currently occupied by Scunthorpe.

Ahead of the Minstermen's trip to Wrexham tomorrow Dolan declared: "Wrexham are just behind us with two games in hand. But I am looking towards Scunthorpe in third, not Wrexham in sixth, because they are the ones we have to catch to get an automatic promotion spot.

"I am quite happy where we are now. To be one point behind third gives everybody a chance. I want us to go on and get as many points as we can in these last eight games. Everybody is up for it."

City's chances of prising something from Wrexham could hinge on any reaction suffered by injury-hit skipper Chris Brass. He underwent training today with the Minstermen sweating on his fitness, particularly as midfielder Lee Bullock is still out with a calf strain.

If Brass comes through the team will be unchanged from the midweek win at Bristol Rovers.

Updated: 10:31 Friday, March 21, 2003