Saturday 18 October 2003 - South Kesteven Stadium - kick off 3.00pm Dr Martens Premier Division

City’s starting XI included the almost obligatory new face, this time it was former Forest Green Rovers defender Steve Jones who, with Mike Trought injured and Scott Hendy suspended, lined up alongside Adam Howarth at the heart of the defence. There were two further changes to the side that rolled over and died at Thame, Alfie Carter replacing the suspended Mitch Counsell and Mark Salter preferred to Dan Cleverley to partner Steve Tweddle up front. As is traditional at Grantham’s open and depressing South Kesteven Stadium a strong wide affected the game and it was in City’s favour during the first half. A poor clearing header almost gave City an early opening before Tweddle brought keeper Ziccardi into action for the first time with a 25-yard effort. In between a low cross from Stuart just evaded several incoming home players. The 19th minute saw a Drew Shore shot deflected for the corner from which City took the lead. Shore’s centre evaded Ziccardi and Howarth’s sent a downward heading bouncing into the roof of the net. Within a couple minutes City wasted a great chance to move further ahead as Carter was denied by a point-blank save by Ziccardi. Salter then failed to get a Frankie Bennett cross on target as City continued to press. The home side almost drew level after 38 minutes when Wilkin got free down the right. His cross looked destined for Slinn until Steve Jenkins got in a vital tackle. Bryant bravely smothered the loose ball. Two minutes later though the game was all-square again. Jenkins and Jones failed to clear when they had the chance. From the resultant throw-in Wilson picked out Wooding and his cross was headed home by the unmarked Slinn.

The second period saw Grantham gain more possession but City still posed a considerable threat on the break. Tweddle’s 50th minute cross ended with Salter shooting weakly straight at Ziccardi. Town main threat came from Wilson’s long throws (helped by taking the majority from several feet inside the touchline) but with Bryant’s handling and punching excellent in the difficult conditions City diffused this danger. Wooding’s long range shooting was also a worry for City and one effort flattened Jim Rollo and left the midfielder in need of several minute treatment. But it was still City who looked the likelier to score. A excellent move on 70 minutes involving a strong Tweddle run and neat Shore dummy sent Bennett racing clear. He elected to shoot rather than squaring to Salter and the effort flew harmlessly wide. Carter then forced a fine stop out of Ziccardi as did Wilkin and Gould from Bryant. The game appeared to be heading for quiet finish before both sides conjured up a great chance to steal the victory. With just a minute left on the clock Bennett’s surging run took him past his marker to the touchline. His cross flashed across goal to unmarked substitute Steve Bridges. With the goal at his mercy he fired in a low that shot that was destined for the net before the slightest deflection off Gould took it onto the post. While City were still rueing this miss Grantham were equally wasteful. Another long throw found Gould six yards out but he could only direct a header a foot over the bar.