City fall to Francis double

City began the game brightly but it was Hednesford who went closest to scoring. Martin Davies did well to turn a shot on the turn from Mark Jones away for a corner. From the flag kick, City's fourth minute goal hoodoo - City had conceded a goal in the fourth minute of both previous games - almost struck again. Davies flapped at the ball which fell to Darren Simkin, his firm shot was well saved by the 'keeper and Derek Rae blazed the rebound over the bar. A couple of minutes later Adam Wilde got away on left and sent in a teasing cross that somehow evaded both Leon Gutzmore and Darren Collins as they arrived in the box.

The game was being played in a very open manner and chances came and went for both sides. Steve Holden saw home keeper Mark Gayle block his goalbound header from a Tim Wooding corner then, ten minutes later Holden was on defensive duty to hook Chris Brindley's header off the line.

Hednesford looked lively and did most of the pressing but City were always dangerous whenever a home attack broke down. City's midfield combined well with the wide men to cause more than a little concern in the Pitmen's rearguard. On 22 minutes the visitors went ahead, and it was a flowing move that did the damage. A one-two between Matt Clements and Che Wilson just inside the City half sent the former sprinter Clements racing up the flank, his low cross was swept in at the near post by Gutzmore who more than made up for failing to keep down a free header a minute before.

Hednesford responded, and the ever dangerous Jones tested Davies with a low shot after cutting inside the box, but the City 'keeper smothered his effort.

Five minutes later Davies was again called into action as he dived full length to turn away Simkin's powerfully hit free-kick. City came back with a free-kick of their own, but Gayle gathered Adie Hayes well hit shot at the second attempt. The half finished with an action replay of Simkin's previous effort, but this time it was a much more routine stop for Davies.

The second period continued with the open play on show in the first. Wilde, who was having more input than he had had in City's previous two outings, whipped in an early cross which Collins, under pressure just failed to connect with. Soon after, Jones fired well over when well placed and moments later Davies comfortably fielded another long range effort as the home side searched for the equaliser.

With five minutes gone Clements came close to extending City's lead when he was played in by Gutzmore, but Gayle produced a fine stop to deny the winger. Three minutes on it was Gutzmore's turn as he latched onto a long clearance from Wilde, outbattled his markers and forced Gayle into another good save, this time at the expense of a corner. The chances were coming thick and fast and former Stafford Rangers man Shaun Wray was very unlucky when his 20 yard chip beat Davies but landed on the roof of the net.

City spurned another chance to go further ahead in the 57th minute. Good work out wide from Clements provided a near-post chance for Gutzmore, his effort was blocked, the ball ran free to the edge of the area where Che Wilson fired high over the bar.

However, a minute later it was 2-0. Gutzmore was felled on the edge of the area and Wooding struck home the free-kick with the help of a deflection off the wall that left the 'keeper stranded.

Hednesford were becoming increasingly frustrated as everything they tried to do was being thwarted by a determined City defence, but they eventually handed themselves a lifeline in the 70th minute. Finding himself with little or no other option on offer, Wray chipped a ball to the far post where Chris Brindley outjumped Wooding to loop a header over Davies and into the far corner.

Hednesford, clearly lifted, pushed forward. City were forced to survive a major goalmouth scramble a minute later as Davies lost control of the ball after being barged by Francis, play was allowed to continue but somehow the ball ended up in the hands of the prone 'keeper. The Lilywhites were not let off the hook for long, sixty seconds on Hednesford pulled level. Francis, who's only notable contribution to that point had been to get booked for a late tackle on Holden, picked up a loose ball 35 yards out and fired a speculative looping shot into the top corner of the net, giving Davies no chance.

City looked shellshocked and became a little ragged as Hednesford, roared on by their supporters, looked to capitalise on their unexpected double strike.