Saturday 6 March 2004 - Middlefield Lane - kick off ?pm Dr Martens Premier Division

City received a boost prior to kick-off when Frankie Bennett was declared fit after missing the last two matches and his presence alongside Scott Partridge was to play a vital part in the final result. His return also allowed Jamie Cook to switch to a more natural left flank role and Jim Rollo to drop back to right back to replace the suspended Matt Coupe. On a difficult pitch and with a swirling wide blowing around Hinckley’s decrepit old Middlefield Road ground both sides struggled early on but it was City who settled first. Twenty three uneventful minutes had passed when Partridge got his first sight of goal, shooting narrowly wide. Ten minutes later City appeared to have taken the lead. Good work by Bennett opened up the home defence for Darren Hawkins. He lifted the ball toward goal only for keeper Whittle to somehow turn it around the post despite it looking as if it was already past him. Following this narrow escape the Knitters finally began to produce some sort of threat to the City goal, although their cause was assisted by two unusually hesitant attempts to claim crosses by Paul Evans. They also won a couple of corners shortly before the interval but it was fitting that the game was goalless at the break.

The match showed almost immediate signs of improvement as within the opening ten minutes of the second half starting both sides had a chance to take the lead. First Bobby Ford sent Partridge racing clear but he fired a tame shot straight at Whittle. At the other end Evans came to City’s rescue with an excellent double block from Sadler and Piercewright. And this step up in the action was sealed on 66 minutes when City took the lead. Loan signing Cook had shown little of his undoubted quality up to this point so when he collected the ball just inside the United half there appeared to be little danger. However, with defenders backing off he advanced on goal and when he sailed past a couple of challenges he was suddenly clear on goal to knock a low shot past Whittle. This turned out to be his last meaningful involvement after he was injured in the collision with the keeper as he scored, Drw Shore replacing him three minutes later. It was a substitute for the home side, though, that drew them level on 74 minutes. Jenkins had already seen one effort blocked before he latched onto a hopeful punt forward to lift the ball over a badly positioned Evans. He also headed a Lenton cross over three minutes later and Hinckley were suddenly looking the more likely winners. However, a Ford shot that was blocked on the line by Storer indicated that City weren’t down and out, and with two minutes left on the clock they regained the lead. Steve Tweddle collected the ball down the right flank and drove a low cross into the six yard box. Cartwright reached it ahead of Shore only to turn it into the corner of his own net. City only had to hold out for a few minutes but they had one final scare when Penny rose to meet a right wing cross. His effort looked destined for the net before Evans produced a stunning one handed save and ensured the vital three points were City’s.