Seething York City boss Terry Dolan was left biting his tongue in the aftermath of the Minstermen's 2-0 defeat at Shrewsbury United.

Although safe from the drop of relegation, the reverse means City can only match not surpass their points haul of last season, 52.

Dolan had set a target of 53 points once safety became apparent but goals in either half from Ryan Lowe and Luke Rodgers put paid to those hopes.

The result however, was overshadowed for City and Dolan by the second-half dismissal of Richard Cooper for two bookable offences.

Cooper's red card came just as City were threatening to force an equaliser in a sometimes tempestuous game.

For a game with supposedly nothing at stake, referee Paul Rejer brandished a further five yellow cards while frustrating both teams with a number of questionable decisions.

"I will be as diplomatic as I can," said Dolan speaking after the game.

"I am not going to waste my breath and energy talking about the officials.

"It will all be done through the proper channels in my report.

"Let's just say it will the longest report in my career.

"It was just a good job there was nothing at stake."

Dolan admitted he was disappointed City could not now finish the season unbeaten.

"We lost it because of a 20-minute spell in the first-half," he reasoned.

"We simply didn't get to grips with their two strikers, in particular Luke Rodgers but also Nigel Jemson who caused us problems too.

"We had started the game quite well and we looked confident before they scored

"But once Richard got sent-off it was always going to be an uphill task."

Adding to City's woes, central midfielder Lee Bullock is ruled out of Saturday's final game of the season at home to Kidderminster.

The 19-year-old limped from the fray in the first-half after twisting his ankle where the side of the Gay Meadow pitch met the surrounding track.

Goalkeeper Alan Fettis also suffered a dead leg in the final seconds of last night's game.

However, it is hoped the Northern Ireland international will be able to shake-off the knock in time for the arrival of the Harriers to Bootham Crescent.

Updated: 09:31 Wednesday, May 02, 2001