TERRY Dolan is ordering his misfiring Minstermen to look and learn after two successive defeats has left York City propping up Division Three.

City's 2-0 home reverse at the hands of Cheltenham, coming after the 4-1 opening day defeat at Chesterfield, means York are the only team in the basement division yet to earn a point.

And the straight-talking City chief admits his side have no excuses.

"In a nutshell, we aren't playing well and we are not doing the right things," he said.

"I said to our players if you want an example of a hard-working, organised team just look 25-yards down the corridor into their (Cheltenham's) dressing room. We were beaten by a better team."

Dolan admitted City's poor defensive showing proving was a major cause for concern.

"Psychologically, maybe because we finished last season so well the players are thinking they are going to do well this season without having to work for it.

"Everybody knows you only get success if you work for it.

"The sooner we start learning the basics and stop trying to be clever the better. To beat the opposition you have got to match them first and we haven't done that.

"I thought we had a glimmer of hope while it was 1-0 and thought we might sneak a draw. If we had done it would have been undeserved but what the players have got to realise is if you are not playing well as long as you keep battling away you have a chance."

Two goals, one in each half, from former York striker Neil Grayson gave Steve Cotterill's side all three points but left Dolan seething.

"Grayson epitomised their team with the second goal where Alan Fettis has made about three brilliant saves in the space of three seconds yet he was still there ready to put the ball in the back of the net and our defenders weren't hungry enough to keep it out."

"I think in their favour, apart from the two players they have brought in over the summer (Julian Alsop and Jason White), they have been together a long time and they know what they are doing. That is something I want to work on here."

The City chief defended his 3-5-2 formation that sees York operating with two wing-backs in Graham Potter and Darren Edmondson.

"For the wing-backs to get forward and come into play the front men have got to keep possession of the ball and link-up with them.

"But particularly in the first-half, we never got possession of the ball," he explained.

"In the second-half Darren and Graham have had a couple of opportunities to get good crosses in and we haven't done it. But that is the last of the problems getting quality balls into the penalty area, the first problem is making sure we compete against teams.

"In the two games so far we haven't done it as well as we did in the last three months of last season. As we say to the players before every game, win the battle first. We haven't done it in the two games so far."

City get an early chance to make amends when they tackle Stoke City tomorrow in the Worthington Cup at Bootham Crescent.

PICTURE: CHARGE: Cheltenham defender John Brough closes in as City striker Barry Conlon attempts to get the misfiring Minstermen on the move at Bootham Crescent on Saturday