YORK City tumbled out of the Worthington Cup at the hands of Crewe Alexandra - but boss Terry Dolan still declared his team the winners.

In one of the best games of football seen at Bootham Crescent in recent seasons, brave City finally succumbed 6-5 on penalties to their First Division visitors after the sides were locked at 2-2 after extra-time.

It was tough luck on City, who were just seven minutes away from an upset when Marc Richards' headed equaliser forced the penalty shoot-out.

The teams were still level after five spot-kicks before the drama was finally ended when City's Richard Cooper fired his sudden-death effort the wrong side of the post.

City chief Dolan insisted the disappointment of going out of the competition in such a cruel fashion was tempered by his side's thrilling display.

"We are not looking at it as though we have lost because over 90 minutes and then extra time we didn't lose," he said.

"When it goes to penalties anything can happen and it becomes a lottery but I am delighted with the performance of everybody.

"I think we outplayed them for a great part of the game and did it in the right way.

"There are no complaints whatsoever. I have said to the players don't worry about it. We weren't going to get to Cardiff and the Third Division is more important as far as we are concerned and we need to get as far up the division as possible."

After Saturday's 3-0 defeat of Torquay, Dolan admitted he believes his team are heading in the right direction and indicated he is willing to stick with the 4-4-2 formation that has served City so well.

"We are improving and that is the main thing and the system is suiting them and the players we have got.

"We had signs in the second-half against Rushden, we had signs in the second-half against Middlesbrough and we had signs for certainly 70 minutes against Torquay.

"After the first ten minutes tonight when they caught us a bit cold I thought the character and attitude was excellent and we got back into the game.

"We did it with the type of football we want the players to play. I am sure the supporters will be disappointed we are not in round two but I am sure they are going to be happy with the way we played."

Updated: 09:46 Wednesday, August 22, 2001