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Saturday 24 January 2004 - Twerton Park - kick off 3.00pm Dr Martens Premier Division 
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| half-time: 0-0 | result: L0-1 | attendance: 622 |
| team: | Bryant, Rollo, Jenkins, Coupe, Jones (c), Ford, Hawkins, Owers, Eaton, Partridge (Shore 81), Bennett. subs not used: Shuttlewood, Cleverley, Jeffries, Klukowski. |
| man of the match: | Frankie Bennett |
| scorers: | none |
| bookings: | Bryant (16) |
| officials: | A Field (Chesham), S Murfin (Didcot), M Walker (Didcot) |
| league position: 22nd | form: WLdLLL | next match: Nuneaton (A) |
When Worcester put seven goals past a hapless City just over a month into this season the main worry for the rest of the campaign was understandably the defence. Now, while this area is hardly rock solid, the improvement has been noticeable with just Nuneaton putting more than two goals on City in a match during their last fourteen outings. Unfortunately alongside this progress it is the side’s goalscoring prowess that has seen an even greater turnaround – but not for the better in this case. Perennial strugglers Moor Green arrived at Twerton Park in an unusually comfortable mid-table position on the back of a nine-game unbeaten run. And the way they increased this to ten-games summed up the season perfectly for City. A single goal on 53 minutes was enough to send them back to Birmingham with the three points and for all City’s efforts only a long range effort from Gary Owers ever came close to breaking their goal drought.
City received a blow before kick-off with new keeper Paul Evans absent due to a bruised rib – Mark Bryant recalled in his place. They were also forced to reshuffle their backline following the departure of Adam Howarth, with Matt Coupe switching to the centre and Jim Rollo occupying an unfamiliar right back role. Up front Jason Eaton and Scott Partridge were once again handed the task of ending the long wait for a goal. Owers fired an early opening just wide before Frankie Bennett wasted a great chance to grab an early goal. A trademark powerful run carried him past two defenders but his early taken shot was straight at keeper Rachel. Another Owers effort was deflected behind for a corner on 14 minutes as City maintained this lively start. They almost suffered a customary set-back at the hands of the officials after 19 minutes. Bryant came racing out of his goal and won a 50-50 challenge with Elmes. The referee had other ideas and awarded a free-kick and it was with some relief that Bryant was ‘only’ shown a yellow card given the circumstances. The free-kick came to nothing although Petty did test City’s keeper with a low shot and Martin headed a corner just over the bar. City were enjoying the greater share of possession but chances were still few and far between, Bobby Ford’s low drive on 23 minutes was well stopped by Rachel and seven minutes later Eaton’s neat approach play was not matched by his finish. Bryant almost gifted the Moors the lead twelve minutes before the interval. Under no pressure he spilled Martin’s cross only for Faulds to fire the loose ball into the side-netting. Elmes also headed Doyle’s free-kick narrowly wide right on the stroke of half-time.
City began the second half strongly, Partridge almost fashioning a shooting chance when a Ford corner dropped to him. From another Ford corner moments later Jenkins and Partridge couldn’t quite apply the vital touch. Steve Jones then had to clear a dangerous attack by the visitors after 53 minutes and from the resultant corner they took the lead. Doyle’s centre was only cleared as far as Sanders by the penalty spot and his shot flew through the crowded area past a helpless Bryant. City were on the rack now and Moor Green went for the kill. Bryant had to be alert to save at the feet of Faulds on 57 minutes and then relieved when the same player blasted a Martin cross wide from just six yards out. Having weathered this storm City finished the game strongly. The closest they came to an equaliser was on 69 minutes. Owers collected the ball 25 yards out and sent a stunning shot in that flew past Rachel only to hit the post and bounce to safety. The 77th minute saw Rollo’s cross find its way to Eaton but he could only send a close-range shot high over the bar. A free header by Jenkins from Darren Hawkins free-kick was comfortably gathered by Rachel and the outcome was the same from Owers’ optimistic overhead kick in stoppage time.