It had to come eventually, as City get the points

City also adopted an adventurous 4-3-3 formation which seemed to suit captain for the day Adam Wilde, who was far more involved in City's play than he has been in recent times as he linked up well with fellow strikers Leon Gutzmore and Clements.

Despite City having the better of the opening half, it was Stafford who threatened in the early stages. Hesitancy in the City defence in only the second minute almost provided a chance for Robin Gibson as he just got a toe to the ball ahead of Shane Wardley, but it only provided Martin Davies with a simple catch. Ten minutes on , David Berks, who scored in both games against City last season, cut across the area before firing in a low shot that Davies collected comfortably.

City responded sixty seconds later and almost took the lead. Wilde made progress down the left flank before playing an inviting ball low into the area, Gutzmore was only inches from turning it home at the far post. Three minutes on City indeed did go in front. Matt Clements both started and finished a great City move. It was his deft touch that sent Wilde sprinting down the right, he saw off the attentions of two defenders before calmly rolling the ball into the path of Clements who easily beat Ryan Price in the home goal.

Following the goal, Stafford's Player Manager Phil Robinson went into the Referee's notebook for a horrendous two footed tackle on Clements. His lunge went right over the top of the ball, Clements was lucky not to be seriously injured, Robinson was lucky not to taking an early bath.

Stafford became increasingly frustrated as the half wore on. City looked very comfortable in defence where Jack Wignall in particular was doing his chances of further inclusion in the starting eleven no harm at all. Going forward, City always looked capable of creating something with the ever mobile Wilde popping up all over the field to worry the Stafford back-line.

However, there was little in the way of goal scoring opportunities for either side. Late on Stafford did produce two long range efforts, the first from Lee Barrow that simply provided Davies with a photo opportunity as he produced a diving catch, the second, a Daniel Davidson effort that flew six feet wide of the post.

City started the second period by coming close to extending their lead. A neat build-up involving Clements and Che Wilson allowed Wilde to cut inside and fire a rasping shot inches over the bar. Soon after, Wilde was at it again as he tested Price with another firmly hit drive.

With just over an hour on the clock, Stafford came closest to pulling level. Berks, out wide on the left, fired in a fierce angled drive that took a slight deflection and forced Davies into a superb reaction save to parry the ball, the rebound went straight to Davidson six yards out, but it came at him too fast and he could only watch as it flew off his shin and straight into the grateful arms of the City keeper.

As time moved along, City began to defend deeper and deeper, Stafford were alive to this and began to apply some heavy pressure forcing numerous corners. Although in the main these were delivered effectively into the danger area, City were equal to all that was thrown at them.

There was little of any real alarm, although Davidson only just failed to make contact at the far post with a right wing cross and Wooding produced the tackle of the day to prevent the lanky striker from breaking clear after City had given the ball away in the centre circle.

With seventy eight minutes gone, Martin Davies produced a moment of sheer quality to preserve City's slender lead. A long clearance downfield was flicked on by Davidson, Stafford substitute Chris Rowell showed great presence of mind to spot Davies off his line and attempt a first-time lob. The ball looked destined for the back of the net, but Davies, back-pedalling furiously, somehow managed to arch himself backwards and claw the ball over the bar.

As if stung into action, City finished the game strongly. Collins, on as a replacement for Gutzmore, found Clements and he sprinted clear of his marker before putting a shot a foot wide of the upright. By now Stafford were throwing everything forward, including their keeper for a 90th minute corner, but City held out and Wilde almost wrapped things up in injury time when he battled through to hit a low effort that Price did well to stop at the foot of his post.