Saturday 8 February 2003 - Twerton Park - kick off 3.00pm Dr Martens Premier Division

While it was true that a draw would have been a result that neither side could have complained about City did create the clearer chances, so maybe if one team deserved to nick the result it was the Romans. Their hopes were not helped before kick off as top scorer Jason Eaton was ruled out with a stomach bug and captain Gary Thorne failed to recover from the calf injury that has troubled him recently. New signing Dave Toomey was handed his first start up front and Gary Kemp returned from suspension to take the captains armband. The opening ten minutes failed to match the two clubs recent form. The 11th minute saw a keeper called into action for the first time as Mark Bryant did well to claim Nightingale's low free-kick across the face of goal. Both defences were on top with in-form Andy Williams and Frankie Bennett lacking the service to stamp their class on the game. On 24 minutes a poor clearance by Hayes from Stuart James's cross fell invitingly to Bennett. His first touch was too heavy and Davies was out quickly to block at his feet. The keeper had to be alert again four minutes later as Paul Milsom's long ball forward saw Toomey easily outpace Rice and Vowden. He shot was well-struck and on-target but Davies was equal to it. A clash between Iain Harvey and Cambridge's Wilson directly after this save saw the Lilywhite earn a booking and a rib injury that forced him from the action before the interval. After this good spell for City they almost fell behind on 32 minutes. A neat passing move gave Simpson a shooting chance from 25 yards and it was only the fingertips of a full stretch Bryant that denied him a great goal. The game was then held up for five minutes as referee Mr Wade received treatment for a calf injury before eventually swapping places with his assistant Mr Green. The delay seemed to affect the home side and City finished the half on top but they could not turn this advantage into goal chances.

The half time break saw City make a change with the injured Toomey being replaced by Dan Cleverley. The second half began in similar style to the end of the first with City making most of the running. A trademark burst forward from Williams in the 48th minute saw him felled by Huggins but the half-hearted penalty appeals were waved away by the stand-in official. Another weak clearance, this time by Huggins on 58 minutes, presented Bennett with a clear sight of goal but he dragged his shot well wide. City's no.10 turned provider moments later, holding off Huggins before finding Rollo. The midfielder's shot was parried well by Davies. Rollo also went close again within a minute, this time his rising effort flying narrowly wide. Having weathered this storm the home side came back strongly at City but with Trought and Kemp outstanding they failed to create any clear-cut opening. Bryant was again alert to intercept Wignall's low cross and Kemp and Trought produced excellent blocks after Cambridge had carved a way through with some incisive passing. During this period Bennett wasted another clear run on goal and it looked as if the game was destined to remain scoreless. That was until the arrival of Jefferies and fellow youngster Drew Shore in the final 10 minutes. A free-kick was won wide left and the latter lifted the ball into the Lilywhite's box. Trought rose highest and when his header rebounded back from the foot of the post Jefferies reacted smartly to fire past the helpless Davies. It was too late for Cambridge to mount any sort of fightback, the remaining minutes passed without any scares, leaving City to celebrate a victory that was as sweet as all last gasp efforts are.