Both keepers were called into early action, Mark Hervin saving a well-struck Bale free-kick before a neat build up between Paul Milsom and Andy Williams saw James Zabek fire straight at Fisher. City then appeared to be taking control of the game but in the 19th minute they gifted the visiting side the lead. Zabek began the comedy of errors knocking the ball back toward Brad Thomas. He then attempted to help it back to Hervin but left it woefully short allowing Truman to steal in, round the stranded keeper and finish into an unguarded net. Despite this blow City continued to hold the upper hand, Williams' free-kick forcing a smart save from Fisher minutes after the goal. The keeper then denied Harvey after he had found space in the Cinderford box, but from the resultant corner City levelled the scores. Williams' centre was only cleared as far as Zabek and he sent a dipping shot beyond Fisher into the corner of the net. This happened in the 23rd minute and the remainder of the half belonged to Drysdale. Eleven minutes later Williams began a run in his own half that carried him to the edge of the Cinderford box before he was felled by Hopkins. Drysdale's low drive flew into the net via a slight deflection and City were ahead. Just another four minutes had passed when the former Newcastle player produced an even better free-kick. This time the infringement, a foul on Milsom, was nearer 35 yards from goal but as soon as it left Drysdale left boot it was destined for the net, swerving past the desperate reach of Fisher.

The game was effectively over and the second half turned into something of a non-event with City creating a number of chances but failing to add to their three goals. The guilty parties in front of goal included Gosling, Hunt, Milsom and substitute Powell, although to be fair to them they did at least force saves from the overworked Fisher. The clearest opening of the half fell to Hunt with ten minutes remaining but from no more than six yards out he blazed a shot high over the bar. In the end the only noticable incident came in the closing minutes when Milsom received a yellow card for time-wasting (!) which will see the striker suspended for the Boxing Day clash at Havant & Waterlooville.