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Tuesday 5 November 2002 - Twerton Park - kick off 7.45pm Dr Martens Cup 1st Round 
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| half-time: 1-0 | result: 2-2 after extra time (City lost 3-1 on penalties) |
attendance: 318 |
| team: | Bryant, James, Drysdale (M Keen 53), Honor (c), Minturn, Scott, Hopkins, Wilmot, Jefferies, Sam Allison, Gosling (Trace 70). sub not used: Simeon Allison, Spring, Newman. |
| man of the match: | Mark Bryant |
| scorers: | Gosling (40 pen), M Keen (72) |
| bookings: | none |
| officials: | A Sainsbury (Devizes), N Hickton (Market Lavington), M Rushton (Pewsey) |
| league position: n/a | form: WWDLLD | next match: Hednesford (A) |
In the space of just eight days City's interest in three cup competitions disappeared albeit in three contrasting manners. The FA Cup ended in a battling replay defeat at the hands of the current top side in non-league football. The FA Trophy ended with a dismal performance against a side who less than two months previous City had played off the park. And the Dr Martens Cup ended with a bang and a blaze of fireworks. Okay, the pyrotechnics that played a constant backdrop of colourful explosions to the Twerton Park clash with Tiverton Town were for the annual absurd exercise of bonfire night but the action on the pitch was about as explosive as you're likely to see in the equally pointless League Cup competition. In what is also an annual tradition for the majority of Premier Division clubs City took the opportunity to field a side of fringe first-team and reserve players. Just Stuart James and Andy Minturn featured from the side that lost at Hednesford the previous Saturday, although the game did see the return of first choice keeper Mark Bryant after suspension and, even more welcome to the City followers in the 318 strong crowd, the reappearance of Jamie Gosling after his two month injury nightmare.
By contrast (and completely against the spirit of the competition!) Tiverton fielded an almost full strength side and this difference showed in the opening exchanges. Lynch should have done better than fire high and wide on 10 minutes after a fast break left City desperately short-handed at the back. Another similar attack ended with Bryant saving Ovens shot when a pass to Lynch would have given the striker a tap-in. Having weathered this storm City's young side began to show they could be a match Tiverton. With Luke Scott impressing particularly at the back and Craig Hopkins beginning to influence the midfield City produced some neat approach play without ever looking likely to score. This changed five minutes before half time when City were awarded a penalty. Sam Allison ran toward goal from the left flank to fire a shot in that was blocked by Hill. The ball broke to Gosling and just as he was set to shoot the same defender took his legs from under him. Gosling got up and blasted the spot kick past Collis.
The second half began in a similar fashion and within six minutes Tiverton were awarded a penalty themsleves. Pushing at a corner gave Nancekivill the opportunity to emulate Gosling but he saw Bryant save and then grab the loose ball away from the following up Chenoweth. The equaliser did arrive though 15 minutes later. The ball was given away on the left flank and Ovens cross was turned past his own keeper by the unfortunate Hopkins. Only another six minutes passed before City regained their lead. A James corner, after Collis had parried Jefferies header, was cleared to Hopkins. He made up for his own goal by crossing for Mark Keen to this time head past the visitors keeper. The goals were now coming thick and fast and with 12 minutes remaining Tiverton ensured the game would go into extra time when Nancekivell poked home from close range.
To their credit both sides went in search of an extra time winner - Ben Trace just failing to reach Allison's cross and then shooting straight at Collis when well-placed. Tiverton responded with a Pears header that Bryant saved well but despite this endeavour the game reached the 120 minute mark still level and penalties were required. Despite Gosling's first half success City minds must have gone back to the league clash between the sides earlier in the season where city twice missed from 12 yards and there fears were soon realised. Steele ans Pears for Tiverton and City's Jefferies began successfully but Allison dragged his effort wide. Bryant kept City in it by repeating his normal stop against Nancekivell only for Minturn to see Collis touch his shot onto the bar. When Rees converted it meant captain for the night Chris Honor had to score but he couldn't beat Collis and the night's display was over.