BOSS Terry Dolan applauded York City's up-front and personal approach as the Minstermen secured a valuable three points with victory over fellow promotion hopefuls Bournemouth.

The City chief described the win, which lifted City back up into the play-off places, as "massive" and reckoned City got their reward for a hard-working performance.

"There wasn't much to choose between the sides in the first half but it was important we stopped them from playing," explained Dolan, who had lavished praise on the Cherries prior to their arrival at Bootham Crescent.

"I'd seen them at Rochdale in midweek and they played some great football.

"If you step off them and let them play they can cause you all sorts of problems. But we closed them down and stopped them from playing."

The City chief added: "I think that has epitomised our team all season - the way we can close teams down. Bournemouth are a useful team but we are right in there now.

"You don't get anything in this game unless you work hard so, hopefully, we will get our just rewards at the end of the season."

Jon Parkin's 11th goal of the season at the start of the second period broke the deadlock and was ultimately to prove decisive, although Bournemouth staged a late rally and put the City defence under some prolonged pressure.

"I think we played some excellent stuff at the start of the second-half and we looked as though we would go on and win it," said Dolan.

"But they then came at us which was to be expected and put us under pressure.

"They were not third from top for nothing. They are a useful team but, all in all, we have not let them play.

"Although they did have the majority of the play in the last half-an-hour we got some important blocks in and defended well and they didn't really get in behind us which was pleasing."

Dolan has fresh injury worries ahead of tomorrow's long trip to Bristol Rovers.

Midfielders Richard Cooper and Lee Bullock were both substituted in the closing stages of Saturday's game suffering from calf problems.

In another blow for City, Tom Cowan picked up his tenth yellow card of the season meaning the former Rangers defender is now facing a two match ban.

Cowan will be suspended for City's home game with Southend on March 29 and for the Bootham Crescent clash with Rochdale on April 12.

Updated: 11:11 Monday, March 17, 2003