Tuesday 17 September 2002 - The Moorlands - kick off 7.30pm
Dr Martens Premier Division
half-time: 0-0 result: L0-1 attendance: 243

team: Bryant, Bennett, Trought, Thorne (c), Kemp, Rollo, Milsom, Harvey, Eaton (Wilmot 53), Cleverley, Williams. subs not used: Hervin, Horgan, Minturn, Sam Allison.
man of the match: Dan Cleverley
scorers: none
bookings: Bennett (79)
officials: C Henry (Northampton), K Morgan (Stourbridge), K Morris (Hereford)

league position: 12th form: LLDWLL next match: Chelmsford (H)

City suffered their second away defeat in the space of three days in the cruellest fashion as a 92nd minute Moor Green goal sent them back down the M5 empty handed. And the defeat was even harder to bear after they had dominated the game, particularly in a one-side second half, however their failure to turn this control into clear cut chances cost them dear in the end. With the home side struggling to contain Frankie Bennett City had always looked the likelier side to break the deadlock but even with a corner count running into double figures they couldn't find a way past Rachel. And even on the one occasion the keeper was beaten the crossbar came to his rescue.

City's starting line-up saw one change from the match against Hinckley - Paul Milsom replacing Gary Horgan in the midfield - and from the start they looked a different team to the one that had performed so poorly against the Knitters. The opening 15 minutes saw City force six corners but it was from open play that they should have taken the lead. A neat build-up after 12 minutes sent Dan Cleverley clear but he cound only find the side netting. He also shot high over the bar from another opening nine minutes later. Jim Rollo was then denied a shooting chance on 21 minutes by a good block from Faulds. Having weathered this storm Moor Green began to come into the game more. After 33 minutes Faulds and Blake combined on the edge of the City box and the former sent a left foot shot towards the top corner of the net only to see Mark Bryant turn it behind with a brilliant finger tip save. The half ended with City on top again - Eaton forcing a low stop from Rachel with his shot from 18 yards.

Playing down the slope in the second half City continued where they left off. Rachel was again in the action - saving at the feet of Bennett on 49 minutes - but could only watch as Cleverley's 56th minute shot flew past him before crashing against his crossbar. Having had so little to do it was not too surprising when a momentary laspe in concentration at the back almsot cost City dear. Mike Trought's poor header allowed Lamey to run at an exposed Gary Kemp. With an unmarked Meyers in the middle a goal looked certain but the substitute choose to shoot and dragged the effort well wide. This woke City up and another spell followed where they laid siege to the Moors goal. Unfortunately, the final pass or shot was poor and a deserved goal continued to elude them. Another poor pass, this time by Wilmot, in the 80th minute left Martin clear on goal only for Bryant to produce a well-timed block. As the game reached it's closing minutes City finally created a great chance to win the game. Rollo beat the offside trap and Rachel but failed to get enough power on the shot and Petty easily got back to clear the danger. This appeared to be the final opportunity and the game was destined to finish goalless but with 92 minutes on the clock a deep right wing cross from Stanley allowed Petty to head the ball back across goal. There Faulds' attempted shot found Lamey and he fired past Bryant. The stunned disbelief of the players and City's travelling fans was clear and there was barely time to restart the game before the referee ended proceedings.