Brighton boss Micky Adams believes a resurgent York City will be challenging for promotion next season.

HEAD TO HEAD: York City striker Colin Alcide, who was set to miss today's game at Chester, displays some aerial ballet skills with Brighton's Andy Crosby during Saturday's 0-0 draw with Brighton at Bootham Crescent

Speaking after the Minstermen stretched their unbeaten run to nine games following Saturday's goalless stalemate with Albion, the Seagulls manager said: "York City will be a force next season.

"We had to stand up and be counted, especially at set pieces but Terry Dolan has obviously done a good job.

"York were well organised and are a very big, strong side and I fancy them strongly for promotion next year."

City chief Dolan was equally complimentary about Adams' Brighton, describing them as the "best side" he had come across in Division Three since his February appointment.

But despite recording their sixth clean sheet in seven matches against a side not beaten in 11 now Dolan was refusing to get too carried away.

"It gives us food for thought," said Dolan of his counterpart's comments. "But we need to score more goals.

"With two teams in the middle of such long unbeaten runs it was always going to be tight but I don't think we were at our best."

He added: "I am disappointed we have picked up only one point but happy we have kept the run going and kept a clean sheet.

"We defended well but had too much defending to do because we have that lack of quality in attacking areas."

The City boss admitted his bold gamble of playing three strikers failed to come off and hinted he was considering shuffling his pack for this afternoon's Easter Monday clash with Chester.

"We were short of midfield players so that is why we went with three strikers but they never really gelled.

"Brighton coped with it well and their full-backs always looked to get forward which put us on the back foot.

"But we are our own worst enemy in many respects because when we do get the ball forward we don't hold it up well enough and it comes straight back.

"We have to defend too much but fortunately we are doing it well."

Despite praising City, Adams echoed Dolan's sentiments when he described Saturday's draw as "a missed opportunity" for his side.

"We dominated the game for long periods but lacked a cutting edge.

"The team as a whole are playing with a lot of confidence but we get into that final third and it is just not happening for us."

Dolan revealed that striker Colin Alcide, who started his first match since January on Saturday, was a major doubt for today's clash with bottom club Chester.

The big forward suffered a heavy challenge in the opening minute of the match and was taken off after 55 minutes and replaced by John Williams.

A role-call was held at Bootham Crescent yesterday as the City boss checked on other players nursing knocks too.

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