A Robbie Simpson double secured City’s first away points of the season as they came from behind to beat 10-man Bath at Twerton Park.

Gary Roberts named an unchanged starting line-up for the fifth match in succession as the Lilywhites looked to re-produce the form they have showed in their opening games at Milton Road.

As both sides looked to settle into an early pattern it was the Romans who produced the first moment of significant interest when Steve Bridges sent in a low cross from the left which fell dangerously between Martin Davies and his back four, causing the Lilywhites custodian to smother at the feet of Mark Salter.

Shane Wardley leaps high to clear the danger

There were close to 15 minutes on the clock before the visitors produced their first meaningful attack, Louis Riddle showing good close control centred from the left but Scott Hendy stretched to get in ahead of Danny Bloomfield and avert any danger.

As Bath struck back Matt Coupe played an accurate cross-field pass into the path of Steve Bridges who advanced before delivering another dangerous centre which Mark Salter put behind. As the Romans looked to build up a head of steam, Danny Cleverley, advancing through the inside right channel, saw his progress blocked by Lee Pluck at the expense of a corner.

Mr Sharp flashed the first of several cards moments later, Robbie Simpson rose well to deflect a header into the path of Louis Riddle who was felled by Mitchell Counsell, earning the Romans’ new signing a caution.

City hit the target for the first time when Lee Pluck launched a long throw from the right hand side which was only partially cleared, Jamie Godbold the first to react latching onto the loose ball a firing straight at Mark Bryant who clutched the shot at head height.

Godbold, having an impressive match wide on the right was at the heart of City's next attack. Collecting the ball from Craig Pope he turned neatly onto his left foot and ran at the heart of the Bath defence before unleashing a fierce drive which fully extended Bryant, and earned the visitors a corner.

As City started to exercise a level of control Pope, who looked assured throughout, played in Miller who in turn squared across the six yard box but Adam Howarth was in ahead of Danny Bloomfield to clear.

With City looking comfortable they conceded a goal somewhat against the run of play. A neat passing move broke down just inside the Bath half and the ball was worked quickly out to the right where Andy Williams swung in a dangerous cross to the far post, Mitchell Counsell rose well to head powerfully against the inside of Martin Davies’ right hand upright, with the ‘keeper beaten the ball rebounded across the City six yard box where Danny Cleverley was first to react and shoot into the unguarded net.

Crucially, City hit back before the interval, having made a good supporting run down the right Craig Pope was fouled deep in Bath territory. Rob Nightingale’s outswinging free kick was met by Simpson’s near post header, Mark Bryant got his left hand to the ball but could only parry it onto the post and into the net.

Bloomfield, clean through, is denied by a last gasp tackle

With only seconds of the half remaining Bath came close to re-gaining the lead. Again with no obvious danger to the City goal the ball was worked into Counsell who unleashed a dipping shot from well outside of the penalty area. The ball bounced awkwardly in front of Martin Davies, who, diving low to his right, palmed the ball wide to Cleverley who shot wide under pressure from Pope.

With the second half just moments old Louis Riddle collected a yellow card hot on the heels of Monday’s red at Grantham. This time the Lilywhites winger was cautioned for dissent (kicking the ball away) after Rob Nightingale had fouled Drew Shore.

Bath created the first opening of the half when a free kick from Coupe on the right was headed back across the box by Scott Hendy to Adam Howarth who in turn headed over the bar.

As the hour mark approached City grabbed a crucial second goal. Great work by Louis Riddle saw him chase back and rob Shore with a strong challenge, he then carried the ball forward down the inside left channel before releasing Robbie Simpson on the edge of the box. City’s teenage striker still had plenty to do however, he showed great strength to hold off Hendy before turning inside and curling a low shot beyond the despairing dive of Bryant and into the corner of the net.

As City looked to consolidate Rob Miller was penalised for a robust challenge on Steve Bridges however James Quilter became the second City player of the afternoon to be cautioned as he too kicked the ball away in the aftermath of the incident.

On 63 minutes Gary Roberts made his first change, Rob Nightingale making way for Leon Bell who had arrived at City from Stevenage on Friday. Whilst the intention was to withstand the expected onslaught from the home side City came close to putting the game beyond doubt three minutes later. A Lee Pluck clearance gathered pace off the sloping pitch and curled into the path of Danny Bloomfield who broke beyond Howarth. Bryant however was sharply off his line and bought Howarth enough time to recover and dispossess the City striker.

As Bath chased an equaliser Mark Salter was withdrawn from the action to be replaced by Steve Tweddle. However, whatever plan Alan Pridham had in mind was thrown into confusion moments later when Mike Trought tangled with Robbie Simpson near to the halfway line. As the ball became wedged under Simpson’s legs the Romans’ skipper appeared to stamp down in an attempt to regain possession. Mr Sharp viewed this as violent conduct and showed a straight red card, the newly arrived Tweddle also seeing yellow for his reaction to the decision.

In the immediate aftermath City exercised an element of control retaining possession through neat passing especially down the right where Pope and Godbold combined to good effect, in addition Leon Bell looked good on the ball and broke up any attempt the home side made to mount attacking moves from midfield.

New signing Leon Bell

With 15 minutes remaining Josh Jeffries replaced Danny Cleverley but Bath still struggled to find a way back into the game, Hendy’s tame header from a Shore free-kick illustrating their problems in front of goal.

Tweddle, whose physical presence posed City a few problems, ran strongly at the Lilywhites’ backline before freeing Jeffries but again there was no end product. With time running out Tweddle forced his way into the box and, receiving the ball into his feet from the right held off Shane Wardley but could only fire into the side netting.

City still looked the more incisive, Shane Wardley released Riddle who played a neat one-two with Robbie Simpson before firing low to Bryant’s right, the Bath ‘keeper forced to push the ball behind for a corner.

The final few minutes were broken up by two more substitutions, firstly Robin Spring replaced Steve Bridges and then for City Lee Chaffey, making his debut, replaced the hard working Godbold. The disruption caused by replacing a midfielder with a central defender seemed to unsettle City and they faced a few anxious moments but managed to see out the remaining minutes without undue alarm to record a very satisfying victory.

The Lilywhites showed a greater resilience today than they have in their two previous away games and as such managed to come back from a goal down and subsequently protect a lead for in excess of 30 minutes. Victories over Chelmsford and Dorchester have owed much to slick passing and intelligent movement off the ball this was a different kind of performance and one that will probably have to reproduced on a regular basis when City are on the road, if they are to build on this hard fought win.