City showed two changes from the Tiverton side, one enforced and one not. The enforced change saw Iain Harvey return to the side after suspension in place of unfit Dave Gilroy, Paul Milsom moving to a more familiar striker role. The other change was Andy Williams replacing Jamie Gosling on the right flank. The opening exchanges were understandably tension filled as both sides looked to impose themselves on the game. It was City who appeared to settle first, Cook and Williams firing in shots that failed to test Thomas and Jason Drysdale seeing a free-kick blocked by the wall. The best chance of this period fell to Adrian Foster after 21 minutes. Gary Thorne's long throw found Foster in room in the box but, after a poor first touch, he could only stab the ball weakly at Thomas. In response Merthyr could only produce a Banger free-kick that flew high over Hervin's bar. Despite just shading the game up to this point with 35 minutes gone City found themselves behind. Haines corner was turned toward goal by Harries. Thorne managed to stop this effort crossing the line but the ball fell kindly for Burrows and he made no mistake from eight yards. Banger then missed a great opening to increase his sides lead before half time, firing wide with just Hervin to beat.

City had another close call at the beginning of the second half when Hapgood's low cross flashed across the face of Hervin's goal. This escape only lasted another 15 minutes though, as in the 57th minute the Martyrs doubled their lead. Hapgood's pass freed Banger and his cross gave Harries an easy tap-in at the far post. In repsonse City brought on Gary Smart in place of Colin Towler and began to leave gaps at the back in search of a way back into the game. This change allowed Harvey to push up in support of Milsom and Foster and it was the midfielder who three times tested Thomas in the Merthyr goal. The first two efforts, a 20 yard drive and strong run into the penalty area, never really pushed the keeper but the third, with two minutes remaing, forced a high class save. Moments earlier Thomas had been fortunate to stay on the pitch after an altercation with Smart but he made the most of this weak refereeing, diving full stretch to tip Harvey's rising shot away to safety. The keeper celebrated his good work with a variety of guesters to the large City following behind the goal and a minute later his side broke away to score their third goal. Edwards raced clear from the halfway line and with four teammates to choose from squared the ball to Hunt. The striker, who made three appearance for City earlier in the season, could have shot himself but instead played a return pass to Edwards and he calmly slotted home. From the kick-off Drysdale's long ball forward found Foster and he effortlessly beat Thomas from 10 yards to score a consolation goal that was greeted with almost complete indifference by teammates and supporters alike, as they all knew that it was far too little far too late.