PEPPER SHAKEN: Former York City midfielder Nigel Pepper takes a tumble after a challenge from the Minstermen's Darren Edmondson while Chris Fairclough looks on during the 0-0 draw at Southend's Roots Hall ground

Progress maintained was the view of forward-thinking manager Terry Dolan after York City stretched their unbeaten run to six games in a scoreless stalemate against Southend United.

And the City chief hailed the new-found resilience that has gradually steered the club away from the threat of relegation.

Saturday's point maintained City's 20th place, a healthy 11 points clear of bottom club Chester, who beat Halifax 1-0, with six games to go.

Dolan insisted the Minstermen were no longer glancing over their shoulder, but instead were only looking up the table and beyond.

"We want to get as high up the league as we can. The important thing is to keep this run going and then try and get off to a good start next season," he said.

"A good start is vital and the club realise after this season that if you get off to a bad start you are fighting all the time.

"If you get off to a good start you can afford to have a bad spell during the season.

"Since the day I came I never felt the club was in danger of going down, but it is nice to go on a run of six games without defeat.

"The first thing was to get everyone thinking in a positive manner and we have done that. I have seen a gradual difference and I said things wouldn't happen over night. Things are starting to progress now, but I am never happy, we will always keep striving.

"Quality wise, we can do a lot better but one or two people have said five or six weeks ago York would have probably ended up losing that game.

"The resilience is there and that is what we have got to keep demanding."

In contrast, former City chief Alan Little offered no excuse for Southend's lacklustre showing after his side were booed off the pitch by disgruntled fans.

"The players let the club, me and the supporters down badly and I cannot accept a performance like that," he said. "This was without doubt our worst display of the season and we just didn't get to grips with the match at all.

"We work hard on things at the training ground and we end up playing like that - it was unacceptable and a performance which I am at a total loss to explain."

York City's rapid transformation in form and results failed to net Terry Dolan the Nationwide division three manager of the month award - the March honour, announced today, being scooped by Brighton's Micky Adams.

Dolan was in the running. After City lost their first fixture in March at Peterborough, his side then drew their next two games before enjoying a hat-trick of wins.

Adams collects the award after his side went through March unbeaten. The Seagulls won five of their six games and are five points off the play-offs.

Preston's David Moyes is the division two manager of the month, while Barnsley's Dave Bassett took the division one award.

Martin Garratt tasted his first senior action for six months when he came on as a 81st minute substitute for Mansfield Town in their 1-0 home defeat to Barnet.

As reported in the Evening Press, Garratt has joined Mansfield on non-contract terms until the end of the season after being released by City following a season of undisclosed personal and disciplinary problems.

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