MANAGER Terry Dolan refused to make excuses as York City crashed to a 3-1 defeat at Torquay United.

But with just days to go for the club to be saved from extinction, the pressure and uncertainty facing the City chief was all too apparent.

"We are all human beings and the sooner Saturday comes around and we all know what is happening the better," said Dolan.

While the futures of Dolan, his coaching staff and the players hang in the balance, as well as those of the office staff at Bootham Crescent, the City manager refused to hide from the on-field failings at Plainmoor.

"There is no excuse for bad defending and I won't accept it, no matter what the circumstances," said Dolan.

"We lost because of 20 minutes of bad defending."

Adding fuel to Dolan's ire was the fact City had taken a fourth-minute lead courtesy of Peter Duffield's penalty which should have provided the Minstermen with a firm foundation upon which to build.

It was to prove the shortest of leads, with Martin Gritton equalising just a minute later and adding a second for Torquay on 20 minutes.

Tony Bedeau made it 3-1 just before the half-hour and but for some fine saves from goalkeeper Alan Fettis the score could have been much worse for the Minstermen.

Dolan's disappointment with his three central defenders - Jon Parkin, Gary Hobson and Tom Cowan - was clearly evident.

The City boss replaced Parkin in the first-half with young Stuart Wise, while Cowan was replaced by Scott Jones just before the hour mark.

"We had the perfect start but despite having experienced players out there on the field we didn't react," lamented the City boss.

Dolan now looks certain to make changes for Saturday's visit of Swansea for what could prove to be York City's final game.

"The back three didn't do themselves justice, but at least there is something I can do about it," warned the City boss.

"Chris Brass should be available now and I think it is fair to say we have missed him in recent weeks.

"Scott Jones has not been able to play or get in any match practice over the last few weeks, but he got 30 minutes and will play for the reserves this week.

"Stuart Wise also came in and did okay, so at least I have got alternatives in the areas where we have not been doing well enough."

Despite having options - Chris Smith will also be available after his one-match ban - Dolan may have lost wing-back Darren Edmondson, who limped away with a muscle strain below his waist.

Dolan accepted the fact his squad had not been able to train on grass for the ten days leading up to Saturday's match may have played a part in the defeat.

Updated: 12:50 Monday, January 13, 2003