MANAGER Terry Dolan is relishing a rest after York City's resilience suffered the severest of examinations at the hands of Division Three table-toppers Hartlepool United.

The City chief was delighted with the point garnered from the 0-0 draw, a repeat of the scoreline from Victoria Park when the two sides clashed earlier in the season.

However, this time around it was City who were left happier with the end result after United dominated Saturday's game, played out live before the cameras of Sky Television.

Dolan conceded Hartlepool had been the better side, but reckoned City deserved some reward for digging deep.

"Hartlepool proved why they are 11 points clear at the top of the table," he conceded.

"They are a very good team, organised and they move the ball around very well.

"But we stuck in, kept a clean sheet and got the point and on top of the four we picked up in the two away games we played last week I am delighted.

"I thought after Tuesday's game at Shrewsbury we might have one or two tired minds and legs out there and you could see that.

"But we hung in there and defended well. Michael Ingham has made a couple of good saves and Chris Brass has held the defence together and we were able to claim a point. We can't be too unhappy."

He added: "The way the players have applied themselves, no one can have any complaints.

"We haven't played well in the first half, we know that and I was a bit disappointed with our passing. But in the second half they turned the screw, put the pressure on and made it difficult for us but if you can't win the game you make sure you don't lose it and we did that."

Dolan said: "We have now got a week's rest before the Bury game which I think we need, then another week's rest before Rushden. I think we need a few day's rest now before we get back at it. We will be fresher for next Saturday and hopefully we can create a bit more.

"We didn't create as much as we would have liked but you have to give credit to the opposition."

Dolan revealed striker Anthony Shandran was withdrawn at half-time suffering from blurred vision after a bang on his head left him needing stitches to a cut.

Scott Jones suffered a twisted ankle while Richard Cooper was also struggling with a tight groin.

All three are expected to have recovered in time for next Saturday's visit of the Shakers.

Updated: 11:32 Monday, February 17, 2003