Storm in a teacup

FLASHPOINT: Referee Paul Robinson tries to restore order after an incident which left York City's Steve Agnew floored during Saturday's bruising battle at Bootham Crecent against Darlington

However, one of the players believed to be at the centre of the incident today played down the spat.

Darlington substitute Neil Heaney is alleged to have been on the receiving end of a punch by an unnamed City player.

But he said: "It was just a storm in a teacup. There was a bit of pushing and shoving and a few raised voices but that was all.

City had midfielder Kevin Hulme sent off for two yellow cards and six other players were booked by Hull-based referee Paul Robinson in a hard-fought 0-0 draw.

Robinson was escorted off the pitch by two policemen and when he reached the tunnel scuffling had broken out.

He said: "I shall be reporting an incident in the tunnel to the Football Association." However, he declined to say what will be in his report.

Darlington manager David Hodgson alleged that substitute Heaney had been struck by a York player after attempting to shake hands.

Hodgson would not name the City player allegedly involved but felt his side had not been given much protection by the referee on the pitch.

"Time and time again fouls were committed, and no punishment was handed out. And I genuinely believe that we had a case for two penalties for handball."

York City manager Terry Dolan said: "As I was getting to the dressing room there was one or two words being said by one or two people which we can do without.

"There was a group of bodies shouting and jostling but there are one or two things I would like to see on the video before I make any comment."

Played before Bootham Crescent's biggest crowd of the season - 5,308 - the game was littered with bookings on both sides and a number of niggling confrontations between opposing players.

After City stretched their unbeaten run to an impressive seven games, Dolan admitted he was pleased with the on-pitch spirit and application shown by his side.

Four times now since Dolan took charge one side or the other has been reduced to ten men.

"It was hard-fought point to put it mildly," admitted the City boss.

"Again a sending-off has had an effect on the game and we have had to close ranks a little with the score at 0-0.

"We made it difficult for Darlington, they couldn't break us down and we nearly had the classic breakaway and almost won it at the end.

"We are proving hard to beat which is what I want us to be but we have got a lot of work to do in retaining possession better, but it is not easy when you go down to ten men.

"Overall, we gave far too many unnecessary fouls away which put us under pressure but we defended well when we had to.

"Darlington are third and going for the championship and we matched them with ten men for most of the second-half."

Dolan, who said he had no arguments with Hulme's sending-off, admitted he was delighted at the sizeable and vocal crowd.

"It was a good atmosphere, it was just a pity we didn't have any goals," he said

"I said in one of the pre-match previews I hoped it would not be a boring 0-0 draw.

"Well it was a 0-0 draw but I don't think it was boring.

"Although Darlington are not definitely promoted yet they must be thinking when they come to teams like York they are going to pick up three points but maybe they got a little bit of a surprise."

In a blow for the City chief, Hulme's dismissal, his second of the season, means he will be suspended for City's next home encounter, against Brighton, on April 22.

Striker Mark Sertori will also be suspended for the visit of the Seagulls after he picked up his fifth yellow card of the season.

City are now 12 points clear of bottom club Chester with only five games to go. Such is York's goal difference that just two points will probably be enough to guarantee City's safety.

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