SKIPPER Chris Brass is urging a united front as York City's season enters its most critical phase.

The City captain admitted the Minstermen struggled to produce their best form as City were held to a 2-2 draw by Rochdale.

But with City still occupying a play-off place, Brass was peeved by the reaction of some of the home crowd to the stalemate.

"We looked a bit tentative and things didn't quite gel for us," confessed Brass.

"The players were just as frustrated as the fans and it was a bit disappointing to hear some booing.

"To boo any player at this football club when we have been through what we have been through is disappointing.

"That got to me a little bit and we should all be pulling together to make sure this club is a success.

"There are no easy games in this division, the difference is minimal.

"The reason we are at the top end is because we have all - players and supporters - stuck together.

"We can't have a divided camp now. We all have to stick together for five very big games and possibly another three come the end of the season.

"We really are disappointed to have dropped two points, but at this stage in the season sometimes it can be viewed as one point gained.

"Ultimately, we are still not getting beat.

"We will learn from it, we are a young side who have already come through a lot and are now pushing for promotion.

It can only bode well for the future."

Manager Terry Dolan also admitted fan expectation had to be balanced by patience.

"We are getting to the stage of the season now where supporters expect three points from home games.

"Football doesn't work like that and it needs everybody to be patient," said the City chief.

"Sometimes it transmits from the players to the supporters, and sometimes it transmits from the supporters to the players.

"When everyone is a little bit edgy, players don't want to take the calm approach and pass the ball around because they are getting shouted at to put the ball forward.

"It is a learning process but fortunately we are learning while we are at the top end of the division."

Updated: 11:40 Monday, April 14, 2003