These incidents set the pattern for the remainder of the half. Two resolute and well organised defences only coming under real pressure from set pieces. With the central defensive pairings of both teams looking dominant it was clear that the team able to make best use of the wide areas would gain the upper hand. City did their best to get both full-backs forward and on 18 minutes the ever improving Dan Huggins played an accurate ball down the channel for Simpson but his square pass inside to Bloomfield was comfortably cut out.

Bath striker Frankie Bennett, well marshalled by Vowden and Rice also began to take up wide positions in an attempt to make use of his impressive pace. Nineteen minutes in he managed to get the better of Shane Wardley wide on the left but Rob Nightingale was on hand to tidy up.

Five minutes later Bennett seized on a mis-directed Adie Hayes pass and, catching the City defence on the turn ran powerfully at Martin Davies, forcing the City ‘keeper to dive bravely at his feet and divert the ball wide.

Bennett needing treatment after falling awkwardly, at the same time, the referee, Mr Wade also receiving help from the visitor’s physio.

Next it was the turn of Bennett’s strike partner David Toomey to worry the City back line. He raced onto what looked like a routine through ball, outpacing Rice and Vowden, Davies again making an important block. The danger was only partially cleared however and as Iain Harvey carried the ball back towards goal he was grounded by an uncompromising challenge from Che Wilson, who, aside from picking up a yellow card required lengthy treatment for what looked like an upper-body injury.

In a game of few clear-cut chances City carved out their best opportunity of the opening period on 34 minutes. More good work down the left by Wardley fed Hayes, who in turn laid the ball off neatly to Simpson. Spinning superbly off Kemp, Simpson turned inside and unleashed a powerful right foot shot which an alert Bryant, at full stretch, did well to tip around his left hand post.

Before City could take the resultant corner it became obvious that Mr Wade was not fit to continue. However, after a lengthy delay, and with no fourth official on hand, he swapped places with assistant Keith Green. As with the interruption caused by running repairs to the goal net in the last home game against Grantham the timing was most inappropriate for City coming when they were slightly on top in a very even encounter. When the corner was eventually taken Bath cleared their lines with ease and immediately switched play to the other end. The dangerous Bennett got goal side of Vowden but Matt Rice, looking very accomplished throughout, covered and diverted the ball behind for a corner.

At this point City were forced into a change, Che Wilson, still not recovered from his earlier injury was replaced by Chris Wilson a regular on the Lilywhites’ bench since early December. This was however a significant blow for City as Che Wilson had started the match impressively, his central midfield partnership with Rob Nightingale the driving force behind much of City’s better work.

Stuart James then hit an in-swinging corner from the left which an arching Davies could only get his fingertips to but Chris Wilson, in early action completed the clearance.

As the half drew belatedly to a close stand in ref. Mr Green was called into action when Paul Milsom was late on Adie Hayes. The Bath midfielder was correctly cautioned however it was at this point that Mr Green realised the limping Mr Wade was still in possession of the cards, no reprieve for Milsom however who was eventually shown the yellow.

Both managers made half-time substitutions. For City, Matt Clements who had struggled to get into the game was replaced by Kevin Wilkin, the player-coach partnering Robbie Simpson in attack with Danny Bloomfield moving to the right. For Bath a straight swap, striker for striker, Daniel Cleverley replacing David Toomey. Adam Pridham perhaps reasoning that pace was the most effective attacking option.

Three minutes into the half Jamie Gosling took a quick free kick down the left and played in Andy Williams who advanced menacingly into the box only to be disposessed by a Dan Huggins tackle which the visiting supporters felt warranted a penalty but Mr Green waved play on.

The resolve of the make-shift team of officials was being tested to the limit. This was a turning into a very physical encounter between two highly committed teams and although never out of control required firm handling. On 55 minutes a late challenge by Williams on Danny Bloomfield was punished with a yellow card.

Frankie Bennett still looked like the one player most likely to break the deadlock. On 58 minutes Huggins was unable to properly direct a clearing header from a spiralling clearance and the loose ball fell invitingly for the former Bristol Rovers striker but he pulled his shot wide when well placed. The contest between these two was lively throughout and two minutes later Bennett again held off Huggins and laid the ball across the edge of the box for Jim Rollo who struck a dipping right foot drive which a fully extended Martin Davies did well to parry away from danger. From a similar position moments later Rollo was presented with another shooting opportunity but on this occasion his strike lacked direction a cleared the angle of post and bar.

On 68 minutes Jack Wignall replaced a tired looking Matt Rice as Gary Roberts realised Bath posed a very real goal threat. It wasn’t long before City’s third and final substitute found himself in the thick of the action in the visitors’ box.

Adie Hayes, whose delivery was sound all afternoon, flighted a right sided free kick into the far post forcing Mike Trought to head behind. Bryant flapped at Rob Nightingale’s in-swinging place kick and the ball landed at Wignall’s feet on the far post, the central defender squared the ball back across the six yard box but the recovering Bryant pounced to avert the danger.

City were now beginning to turn the screw a little and with a lot of young players on the field began to press the visitors back but with pacey strikers of their own, Bath continued to look dangerous on the break. Bennett who troubled City all afternoon got the wrong side of Wignall and forced Davies into another crucial save low to his left as it became increasingly clear that one goal would be enough to settle the game.