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Saturday 12 March 2005 - The New Eyrie - kick off 3.00pm Southern League Premier Division 
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| half-time: 0-0 | result: D0-0 | attendance: 440 |
| team: | Evans, Rollo, Power, Henry, Holland, Ford (c), Coupe, Milton, Partridge, Paul, Sykes. subs not used: Wood, Jones, Hulbert, Benefield, Owers. |
| man of the match: | Paul Evans |
| scorers: | none |
| bookings: | Power (77) |
| officials: | R James, G Gray, M Bridgeman |
| league position: 11th | form: LDWdWd | next match: Chesham (H) |
In a season where disappointing league performances are hardly a rarity, City did at least manage to exorcise one of their more embarrassing efforts with this goalless draw against Bedford Town. Back in August the Eagles arrived at Twerton Park bottom of the league and without a goal to their name from their opening four matches. They left with a 4-1 victory after a show of startlingly ineptitude from City – or to most accurate from Matt Coupe who was directly responsible for at least three of the goals – that set a trend for the majority of their home efforts this season. Fast forward just over six months and Bedford lie in second place on the back of a thirteen match unbeaten run at The New Eyrie but they found a much more resolute City side in front of them this time. The defensive display was built on the near faultless handling of Paul Evans plus further assured performances from Leigh Henry and Chris Holland in front of him. And unlike the same scoreline at another league front runner, Halesowen Town, the previous Saturday, City did look a greater threat going forward although it would have been hard on Bedford had they grabbed a winner from their best opening late on.
Ironically, Coupe was recalled to the starting XI, along with Alex Sykes to replace the injured Darren Hawkins and John Williams, slotting in at right back with Jim Rollo pushing up into midfield. The home side were also missing their top scorer Dillon, who fired home the easiest hat-trick he is ever likely to score in the first match, but his replacement Wardley twice tried his luck from long-range without testing Evans in the opening minutes. City were playing a positive 4-3-3 formation and it was Alex Sykes, looking fitter than he had for weeks, who brought the first save out of either keeper, Robinson comfortably claiming his well-struck 25-yard effort. The strong wind was making it difficult for both sides but slowly the home side began to show why they are so well-placed in the league. Stupple’s 20th minute cross failed to pick out a teammate then Evans got down well to keep out Okai’s shot. He also saved Rydeheard’s free-kick and on several occasions came to confidently claim high balls into the box. His defence was also protecting him well, Rollo producing a perfectly timed tackle to deny Challinor and Holland heading a dangerous inswinging corner clear. The best chance for the hosts came just before the interval when Wardley raced clear but before he could test Evans, Henry recovered to nick the ball away from him.
City’s strike duo of Martin Paul and Scott Partridge had seen little of the ball in the first half but the start of the second saw them combine to give Sykes a shooting chance, only for his effort to curl harmlessly wide. Paul then headed weakly straight at Robinson and it was then back to the pattern of the first half. Graeme Power blocked a Rydeheard shot and Henry headed another testing centre from Howe clear. McElroy shot tamely straight at Evans on 60 minutes as the keeper continued to frustrate the home side. With 20 minutes left Evans was finally beaten only for Holland to clear the ball off the line and from that point Bedford seemed to run out of ideas. And eight minutes from time City should have made them pay. Fittingly it was Coupe who created the opening with a stunning cross-field pass that opened up space for Sykes. He could have carried the ball into the box but choose to shoot – and given the number of goals he has scored from that range this season it was understandable – but this time he pulled the effort well wide. The closing minutes saw Wardley and Howe waste further half chances for the Eagles which meant City became the first side since Dunstable back on the 30th August last year to stop Bedford scoring at home. This after the Twerton Park debacle was no insignificant achievement.