YORK City chief Terry Dolan has praised his battle-weary troops after they booked their place against Reading in the second round of the FA Cup, writes Tony Curtis.

The Minstermen toiled hard for two hours before finally ending the challenge of Colchester 3-2 on penalties.

And Dolan, who went through a whirlwind of emotions as City twice took the lead before being 2-2 at the end of extra time knows how his squad feels.

"I don't who is more tired - me or the players," he said, immediately after the match. "I said to the players it was hard work stood there on the touchline and they looked at me and said 'we're knackered!'

"That is quite right to, as they worked their socks off tonight.

"We rode our luck a little bit, which is perhaps something we haven't had this season.

"We defended well and we are through which is the important thing."

He added: "We weren't at full strength but the young players who are coming in have made mistakes, but they are learning very quickly and that all bodes well for the future.

"With the financial situation we are in we can't go out and buy players, so we've got to bring the youngsters through and there certainly is enough of them getting experience at the moment. Long may that continue."

Despite sensationally knocking the division two outfit out of the Cup, the win has not come without a price.

Lee Nogan and Neville Stamp both suffered injuries in the first half, while Alex Mathie came off just 38 minutes after replacing Nogan.

Nogan picked up a calf strain, Stamp suffered a hamstring pull, while Mathie was brought back into the team after a spell out with a groin strain, but has not had any match practice.

The efforts of the clash will also have taken their toll on the remaining 11 Minstermen - including Mark Maley and Lee Bullock, who have just recovered from knocks.

Added to this are the absence of John Fielding, Peter Duffield, Gary Hobson and Mark Salvati with injuries.

With this in mind, Dolan will let the players rest their weary limbs for the next couple of days before preparing for Saturday's league clash with Darlington.

"Just 11 tired bodies, so those who need it are going to have a few days rest," added Dolan.

The victory, courtesy of the penalty shoot-out will now pit York against Reading at Bootham Crescent on December 8 - a repeat of the same stage last season.

"From the point of view as a test, it couldn't be any better or more difficult," said Dolan. "We got through today's test after two games - and we have had two games against them last season so it is a tremendous game to look forward to."

Dolan also added he had a feeling the Colchester victory would go to penalties.

"Funnily enough I was sat in the referees room about 3.45pm this afternoon and Paul Stancliffe and Brian Neaves came in and I said it would go to penalties - but they were the only two who heard me," he said. "Who knows what will happen after tonight now."

Updated: 12:40 Wednesday, November 28, 2001