Tuesday 8 October 2002 - Twerton Park - kick off 7.45pm Dr Martens Premier Division

The side that began the match showed two changes from the Tamworth debacle, one enforced - Chris Honor in for the injured Paul Milsom - and one tactical - Dan Cleverley returning for Andy Minturn allowing a switch back to the usual 3-5-2 formation. It was clear from the opening exchanges that City were desperate to prove Saturday's embarrassment was behind them with Cleverley and Jason Eaton full of running up front and Frankie Bennett and Andy Williams backing them up well from the flanks. Cleverley forced a save out of Worcester keeper McDonnell after just six minutes. A long throw from Gary Thorne picked out the young City striker ten minutes later but he couldn't direct his header on target. In between former City favourite Jon Holloway found his way into the referee's notebook, along with Eaton, for a scuffle near the halfway line. Clearly surprised at the home sides showing Worcester looked anything but league leaders, struggling to produce any threat to City back line. Iain Harvey twice fired in long range efforts that McDonnell comfortably gathered. City's best opening of the half came after 34 minutes. A strong run by man of the match Williams saw his low cross just evade the incoming Eaton and run away to safety. Worcester's Holmes' tried his luck from long range before the break but that was the extent of his sides search for a goal.

City were forced into a change at half time when Honor suffered a recurrence of his calf injury and was replaced by Minturn. This change seemed to affect City's rhythm and for a short spell Worcester were on top. Snape's 30-yard shot flew narrowly over Mark Bryant's bar and Heely's looping header dropped onto the roof of the net. A Middleton free-kick was also not far away but City always seemed to possess a greater threat up front. Williams forced an excellent stop from McDonnell after 56 minutes from Minturn's centre. And when the visitors failed to deal with a Bennett corner Eaton should have done better than slice his volley well wide. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 63rd minute. Cleverley neatly controlled a loose ball in the area before flicking it into the path of Eaton. He reached it ahead of McDonnell and stabbed it toward goal where despite the efforts of Holloway the ball found the net via a post. Having come from a goal behind to win on Saturday Worcester were clearly not out of the game but for all their effort they failed to find a way through the resolute City defence. Sam Allison replaced Bennett with 15 minutes remaining and he was involved in the move that lead to the stoppage time penalty for City. Initially he looked to hold the ball in the corner but an intelligent flick allowed Eaton to break into the area where he was tripped by Jackson. Thorne stepped up to take the penalty only to see McDonnell guess right and push the ball to safety. However, this was soon forgotten as before Worcester could even mount another attack the referee brought proceedings to an end and City could celebrate a well earned victory.