YORK City chief Terry Dolan expects Chesterfield to be among the Division Three front runners next season.

The City boss watched the Spirerites overcome Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 in their first pre-season friendly and was impressed with what he saw.

"Sheffield Wednesday weren't up to much but I thought Chesterfield did well," said Dolan.

Two first-half goals from former Scarborough midfielder David D'Auria and David Reeves were enough to give Nicky Law's new look side, which includes former City defender Steve Tutill and one-time Bootham Crescent target Luke Beckett, victory.

Chesterfield have continued their positive pre-season run of form with 1-0 wins over Partick Thistle and West Brom.

As well as Chesterfield, Dolan expects Micky Adams' Brighton and Chris Turner's Hartlepool to be among the Division Three's pacesetters.

Hartlepool enjoyed a 4-3 win over Aberdeen in their first pre-season friendly but have been ravaged by injuries since.

"I was impressed with Brighton when they played at Bootham Crescent last season and I thought Hartlepool were a useful side too," said Dolan.

And the City boss also believes the Minstermen will be there or thereabouts come May 2001.

"Everybody was a little tentative when I first came here but the last few months of last season we could see a difference.

"The players had a bit more belief and over the summer that belief has become even stronger and I am sure the supporters can feel that.

"The test will come in our first two or three League games and we will then see how much we have improved."

PICTURE: Terry Dolan