YORK City manager Terry Dolan believes the Minstermen have just cause for optimism having proved they can mix it with the best.

City secured their second draw in successive matches following last night's 0-0 draw with Plymouth Argyle, a result that still leaves the Minstermen in the bottom half of the table.

But after another promising performance that could have brought City their first win in five attempts, boss Dolan believes last night's point should give cause for encouragement.

"It was important we kept up a good level of performance after Saturday's game," admitted the City chief, who reckoned the Pilgrims are the best side City have faced this season.

"We were no worse than Bristol on Saturday and we were no worse than Plymouth and both those teams were in the top five so the players have got to take confidence from that."

Dolan, delighted with his side's clean sheet, admitted a draw was a fair result but reasoned City were the better team overall.

"People may be disappointed we have not scored but I think you have got to give Plymouth credit.

"To keep a clean sheet against them is pleasing because I think Michael Evans is one of the best strikers in this division by far and we managed to keep him quiet.

"I thought the first-half was nip and tuck and it was very even game all-round.

"The way they were set up it is easy to see why they haven't been beaten away from home this season because they were very well organised and got a lot of men behind the ball."

The only sour point for the City boss was the failure of his team to make good a number of promising positions.

"The one thing we had to be was patient because of the way they were set up. We were to a certain degree and I think we picked it up in the second-half and got the ball forward better.

"But we got into so many good positions only for our final ball to let us down.

"There was a lack of quality, particularly in wide areas. It is something we can work on in training now."

Updated: 11:52 Wednesday, September 26, 2001