MANAGER Terry Dolan hailed York City's united front as the Minstermen made it three wins in a row with a 1-0 victory at Bristol Rovers.

Amid more off-field trauma, fresh injury concerns and mounting suspensions, the City chief had nothing but praise for his spirited troops as City's promotion quest moved into overdrive.

The victory, courtesy of a first-half wonder strike from Darren Edmondson, moved the Minstermen up into fifth place and just one point adrift of third and an automatic promotion spot.

"We have the bit between out teeth now and with eight games to go we have given ourselves a fighting chance," Dolan told the Evening Press.

The City chief admitted his threadbare squad was being tested to the limit but was delighted with the way every player was playing his part when called upon.

With midfield mainstay Lee Bullock sidelined with a calf strain, youngster Leigh Wood made a rare start last night.

Striker Lee Nogan was also "given a breather" and named among the substitutes with on-loan Anthony Shandran named in the starting line-up following bench outings in City's last two games.

Dolan revealed had he other alternatives then Nogan would probably have been rested completely.

"When you think we had 16 players on the team sheet and that was about it, I am delighted," he said.

"It has been another tough week. We managed to give Lee Nogan a breather because he has got a few bumps and bruises.

"Jon Parkin turned his ankle on Monday and it was doubtful as to whether he would be able to play

"Anthony Shandran has come in and done well and I was also very pleased with Leigh Wood.

"Everyone wants to be in the team now and even in the last ten minutes when Gary Hobson has come on he has done well. I am just very pleased with everyone."

Despite conceding that Bristol enjoyed the greater possession, Dolan reckoned City, who also saw Parkin miss a penalty, were good value for the win.

"I accept we didn't have the majority of possession but how many saves did Michael Ingham have to make?" asked the City boss.

"That is credit to the way we were defending. We probably had the better chances overall - we missed a penalty, Darren Edmondson scored a fantastic goal and then both he and Graham Potter had good opportunities to score in the second half.

"For all the pressure they managed to put us under they did not manage to create that many clear chances."

The night came at a cost for the Minstermen with Parkin picking up his tenth booking of the season.

Parkin will now be suspended for City's games against Rochdale and Carlisle next month.

Tom Cowan is also due to serve a two-match ban after receiving his tenth caution of the season against Bournemouth last Saturday.

Cowan will miss City's home game with Southend and also the visit of Rochdale two weeks later.

Skipper Chris Brass also had to be substituted near the end of the game suffering from a tight hamstring.

Reflecting on Edmondson's match-winning strike from 30 yards, Dolan said: "We were at the wrong angle to get a proper view but it has flown in and it deserved to win the game."

Updated: 11:34 Wednesday, March 19, 2003