Dolan stuck in the mud

Speaking yesterday, the City chief reckoned having seen the state of the York Street pitch - best described as bog standard - just prior to kick-off he should have played with three centre-backs.

"I wanted to go with the way we finished the game against Lincoln, with the same line-up where we passed the ball very well in the second half," explained Dolan.

"The pitch at Boston was an absolute disgrace and in hindsight perhaps we should have gone with three centre-backs, to soak up a bit of pressure.

"But we wanted to be positive and get at them, but the pitch didn't allow that and I will take responsibility for that."

THREE games have passed since the Evening Press player of the year rankings were last published but there's been little change in the race for the title.

Chris Brass and Chris Smith may be spending time on the sidelines but the defensive duo still head the table.

However, and perhaps somewhat ominously for the would-be champions, two-time winner Alan Fettis picked up the man of the match award at Boston and three points to move into fourth place.

Lee Nogan consolidated his position among the chasing pack with his first man of the match display of the season at Kidderminster two weeks ago, while Darren Edmondson also celebrated his first three-point haul of the season against Lincoln City.

Elsewhere, Christian Fox celebrated his return to fitness by picking up three points over the three games - two against Boston and one against Lincoln - while Tom Cowan also picked up three points from the same two matches but in reverse order.

Graham Potter earned his first point of the season at Kidderminster, where Jon Parkin won the remaining two points.

Standings: Brass 23pts, Smith 21, Duffield 17, Fettis 16, Parkin 15, Cook 13, Nogan 13, Cowan 11, Edmondson 9, Beresford 5, Brackstone 5, Reddy 4, Fox 3, Bullock 3, Hobson 2, Jones 1, Potter 1, Wise 1.

Updated: 11:30 Saturday, December 28, 2002