PROTEST action against the state of Lincoln City's pitch could be taken by York City boss Terry Dolan.

The Sincil Bank playing-surface resembled a sand dune and is in such a parlous state that a club appeal entitled 'Sponsor A Sod' has been launched to try to raise £100,000 for a completely new pitch to be laid during the summer.

When pressed whether he wanted to comment on the surface, which barely comprised any grass and parts of which were whipped up into mini-sandstorms by Saturday's gusting wind, Dolan declined to make any public statement.

All he did say was that he would be taking up 'various matters with the relevant authorities".

Of the defeat by the Red Imps which sent his Minstermen dipping from seventh to ninth place before today's clash at home to Kidderminster Harriers, Dolan was more blunt.

He said: "We had two or three opportunities to score in the first half and never took them. We had five or six opportunities in the second half and never took them.

"We made enough chances but never took them - it's as simple as that. The only thing I could be critical about is we never put our chances away. Phil Whitehead never had a save to make other than the goal. It's as simple as that."

Dolan's Lincoln counterpart Keith Alexander praised the Minstermen, but stressed that he believed his team deserved to win, especially after having to withstand fierce late pressure with ten men after the dismissal of striker Chris Cornelly early in the second half.

Said the Red Imps' boss; "York are a good side. They try to get the ball into the box quickly and often, but I believe we thoroughly deserved to win today."

Updated: 11:10 Monday, April 21, 2003