MANAGER Terry Dolan saluted the supporters but was left lamenting second-half shortcomings as York City eked out a 1-1 draw with fellow strugglers Torquay United.

Still reeling from the bombshell that football at Bootham Crescent could be no more at the end of this season, the City faithful turned out in force in a defiant show of support.

The attendance of 3,445 was up by more than a 1,000 on last season's corresponding clash with United.

"The supporters were full of passion and getting behind the team early on," said Dolan.

"Whether we let our foot of the gas, once we started going backwards on the field that seemed to quieten the supporters as well. But they turned out in numbers and that is all we can ask.

"We just hope there can be a future here."

Dolan admitted he was disappointed City were unable to build on a promising first-half showing against Torquay, especially having taken the lead through Lee Bullock.

City were denied a much-needed three points ten minutes from time when Torquay United substitute Marcus Richardson.

"I thought in the first-half we played the better of the two teams but I was a bit disappointed in the second we didn't go on from there," he said.

"I was hoping we would go on and extend the lead but for some reason we looked a bit tentative and we never put any pressure on Torquay but for a couple of isolated incidents."

He added: "To be fair, Torquay passed the ball better in the second-half than we did.

"It is disappointing when you go in at half-time in front and having played reasonably well that you don't push on from there.

"But Torquay got more off the ball in the second-half because we kept giving them it back too easily and we never really got our passing going.

"I just felt we were lashing at clearances and there wasn't enough thought in our passing in the second-half.

"It turned into a scrappy affair but we got a point."

The City manager has also been left with a fresh injury worry to contend with ahead of tomorrow's FA Cup third round replay clash with Grimsby Town at Bootham Crescent.

Central defender Mike Basham suffered an ankle injury on Saturday and must now be considered doubtful for the clash with the Mariners.

However, in better news for the City chief, skipper Chris Brass, who missed the game with Torquay with a hamstring injury, could be available tomorrow night.

Updated: 11:35 Monday, January 14, 2002