Saturday 20 March 2004 - Marston Road - kick off 3.00pm Dr Martens Premier Division

It looked initially as if playing with the wind behind them would benefit the home side as they pressed City back in the opening stages. An early error by Sam Bailey almost allowed Grayson in only for Steve Jones to provide cover. The two City centre-backs then contrived to give the ball away to Davidson. His pass to an unmarked Gibson was slightly behind the midfielder which allowed Bobby Ford to get in a timely tackle. After eight minutes a Robinson corner was headed over by a well-placed Daniel. Having withstood this early pressure City began to get the ball down and create some attacking threat of their own. Ford’s low cross on 15 minutes picked out Frankie Bennett and he produced a neat overhead effort that dropped narrowly wide with keeper Lindley beaten. Five minutes later Scott Partridge received an Owers pass only to lift his shot over the bar. The conditions were beginning to dictate play more and more as Stafford enjoyed the greater possession but struggled to make the most of this, with passes forward more often being carried out of play. The conditions also made it difficult for City to clear their lines and this seemed the most likely danger to their goal. A 27th minute attempted clearance by Jones fell to Downs. His cross was headed back across goal by Davidson only for Paul Evans to claim the ball before Grayson could pounce. The only other chance came when Downes easily went to ground under a challenge from Bailey just outside the box. Justice was done though as Beale blasted the free-kick high over the bar.

The interval arrived and City began the second half suffering from the same difficulties as Stafford in controlling their forward passes. In fact, the home side seemed to benefit from playing into the wind as their more direct approach suited the conditions. Evans had to be alert to save at the feet of Grayson again three minutes after the break and several crosses caused momentary panic in the City box. In response Jim Rollo – back in the side after suspension in place of departed loan-star Darren Hawkins – brought a fine one-handed stop out of Lindley with a wide-assisted shot after 53 minutes. On the hour mark Grayson fired a good opening, following Davidson’s lay-off, into the side netting and it looked like the game might be heading towards a goalless stalemate that would have suited City perfectly. However, this all changed with two goals in as many minutes. The first, on 69 minutes, came out of nothing and was all about the quality of Grayson. He collected a Gibson pass several yards outside the box but his first touch took him past two markers. Riding Matt Coupe’s desperate challenge he was left with only Evans to beat, which he did with comfort. The second strike, in contrast, was a perfect poacher’s goal as he turned the ball home from close range after Evans could only palm Heath’s cross into his path. City brought on Steve Tweddle for Rollo and then introduced Andy Williams for his first appearance since October but these changes had little impact and it was the hosts who could have increased the scoring in the closing stages. Evans pushed one Gibson cross-shot away and then Coupe produced a last-ditch tackle on the same player after he had latched onto a dreadful Bailey back pass.