Saturday 28 December 2002 - Broadfield Stadium - kick off 3.00pm Dr Martens Premier Division

With regular centre-back Mike Trought out with a knee injury and replacement Chris Honor suffering from flu City were forced into playing Iain Harvey in an unfamiliar defensive role - Jim Rollo reclaiming his midfield position after suspension. The only other change saw Stuart James start on the right flank in place of the injured Frankie Bennett. The first 20 minutes of the match were all Crawley. Bryant's first involvement in the action came after six minutes when he reacted well to block McDonnell's shot way for a corner. He then saved less conventionally as Harvey inadvertantly turned a 12th minute Holmes' cross toward him. Unsure whether the the referee would ajudge the interception as a back pass he elected to head the ball clear to great effect. Gary Kemp then blocked a Cooksey shot following a goalmouth scramble before the inspired keeper produced further saves from McDonnell and Holmes. Finally City musted an attack of their own after 20 minutes and Andy Williams' shot was deflected away for a corner. James' centre appeared to be destined for Little's hands but he failed to claim it cleanly allowing Jason Eaton to bundle in his 14th goal of the season. In contrast to how City had reacted to going behind against the run of play in their last two matches the Red Devils faded completely and completely failed to threaten an equaliser before the break. City almost doubled their lead just before half time when Little spilled another James corner, this time just managing to grab the loose ball before it crossed the line.

A recurrence of his groin problem forced Paul Milsom off at the interval - to be replaced by Drew Shore - but his absence was soon forgotten as City went two-up on 52 minutes. A low cross-shot by Jamie Gosling, following a good build-up involving Eaton and Dan Cleverley, squirmed away from Little. It evaded Eaton but not Cleverley and he turned it home to the delight of the 50 or so travelling City fans. City were now content to sit back and look to catch the home side on the break. Bryant produced another top class save after 56 minutes, tipping Cooksey's 25-yard shot away for a corner. The resultant set-piece saw Le Bihan's shot clip the top of the crossbar. In repsonse Eaton, Gosling and Cleverley all should have done better following swift breaks. Harvey showed his versatility when his last-gasp tackle on Bagnell denied the striker a goal in the 76th minute. A powerful Cooksey drive was blocked on the line moments later as City's defence continued to stand firm. Substitute Matt Lewis should have sealed victory for City with five minutes remaining, volleying narrowly wide from Gosling's cross. Town finally pulled a goal back after 87 minutes, Hockton heading home Harkin's free-kick, and City were forced to suffer a nervous few moments. Stevens was denied by another good save from Bryant, Hockton headed well wide and then had a shot blocked by the massed black and white ranks. After nearly five minutes of stoppage time the referee finally brought the proceedings to an end and City could celebrate a hard fought and, ultimately, derserved victory.

*A quote from my summary of the first match back in August, "The only way an equaliser looked likely was via suspect keeper Little". Some things don't change.