City were left still looking for their first away points of the season last night after letting a goal lead slip and seeing winger Louis Riddle sent off at Grantham's South Kesteven Sports Stadium.

Unlike against Dorchester at the weekend, City were quickly out of the blocks and home 'keeper Mario Ziccardi was called into action in only the second minute, throwing himself across his goal to turn away Rob Miller's 30 yarder for a corner. City quickly followed this up with Robbie Simpson showing strength to make room on the edge of the area for a snapshot that flew narrowly over Ziccardi's bar.

Robbie Simpson challenges former Lilywhite, Tim Wooding

Brief respite was brought to the home sides defence as former City man Nial Inman broke away on the flank and looped a cross into the box that found another former Milton Road man, Kevin Wilkin, completely unmarked but he could only plant a firm header straight into the arms of Martin Davies.

City kept up the pressure and in the ninth minute Simpson showed great tenacity to hold onto the ball before supplying Jamie Godbold who slipped a perfect ball through the Grantham defence to send Danny Bloomfield racing through on goal. Ziccardi came off his line and forced the City striker wide, Bloomfield still managed to get his shot in but it lacked power and although goalbound, Simon Dakin had little trouble in hacking it clear for a corner. From the corner, Grantham were a tad fortunate not to concede a penalty as Riddle's driven cross, after his initial flag-kick had been cleared, hit a defender on the upper arm, but the referee indicated chest and play continued

However, City had only another sixty seconds to wait to net the goal their play had deserved. Simpson provided a delightful clipped ball over the home defence, Bloomfield did the rest, outpacing Dakin before slipping the ball past Ziccardi as he raced from his line.

Grantham were clearly rattled and Bloomfield again caused trouble as he latched onto Simpson's flick-on in the 13th minute, but instead of going for goal he attempted to pick out Riddle but the cross took a slight deflection and was cleared.

Showing little attacking flair, Grantham took until midway through the half to threaten the City goal again, Kevin Slinn looping his header high over the bar after Tim Wooding had picked him out with a right wing cross. Moments later, Rob Gould was somewhat fortunate not to receive some kind of sanction from the referee, who had already brandished his yellow card twice, for a scything tackle from behind on Simpson that left the young striker in a heap on the ground.

Jamie Godbold tussles for the ball

On the half hour mark a long ball out of defence found Wilkin, quickly looking up he played a neat pass into the path of Stuart Wilson who was racing up in support. He looked clean through but Lee Pluck quickly closed him down forcing an early shot from the angle of the area that went high over the target.

With the half entering it's final stages, Grantham thought they had managed to pull level and but for a smart save by Martin Davies, they would have. Martin Fox floated a teasing ball to the far post where Dakin produced a powerful diving header that looked a certain goal, but Davies came to City's rescue with a brave block at the foot of his post.

Not to be outdone, City carved out a chance of their own two minutes later. Riddle picked up the ball deep in his own half and showing great pace raced forward leaving substitute Paul Wilkin trailing in his wake before going past Dakin and crossing from the dead ball line. His cross cannoned off a defender's shin straight to Bloomfield, but it came at him quickly and he could only succeed in lifting it narrowly over the bar.

City had deserved their half-time lead, but all that hard work was wiped out within three second half minutes. City's normally organised back-line was caught out by a long ball out of defence as it dropped over their heads. Shane Wardley had failed to push out playing both Wilkin and Wilson onside, as Wardley went to challenge Wilkin, the striker played a perfect pass into the path of Wilson who, with a flick of the outside of his boot, beat Davies from twelve yards.

Grantham attempted to build upon their success and with the wind at their backs, did to force City back at times but failed to create anything of note as all too often good approach play was let down by a poor final ball. The half degenerated into a midfield battle with the home side gaining the slightly upper hand.

Simpson outjumps another former City man, Martin Fox

It took until the 73rd minute for the next meaningful action when Rob Miller fired in a twenty yard daisy-cutter that was watched past the post by the ever alert Ziccardi. Five minutes later, Miller and Riddle combined well on the left flank, the latter finding Bloomfield in space in the area, but the City striker failed to control well enough and the ball was smuggled away by the home defence.

With just over ten minutes remaining Grantham managed to edge themselves in front. Jamie Kearns swung a deep corner to the far post, Dakin headed the ball down into the six yard area, Kevin Wilkin diverted the bouncing ball onto the bar and Rob Gould was on hand to head home the rebound.

From the restart, City had another penalty claim waved away. Miller appeared to be held back in the area as he looked to get on the end of Wardley's pass, but the referee was not interested much to the obvious annoyance of the City midfielder.

A minute later and things got worse for City as they lost Riddle, red carded for a high challenge on Paul Wilkin. The whistle had already gone for a foul in the home side's favour but both players still challenged for the loose ball. Riddle went in with a high boot and inadvertently caught Wilkin on the back of his head. After consultation with his assistants, the referee had little option than the send the winger off for dangerous play.

Despite being reduced to ten men, it was City who dominated the final minutes of the game and enjoyed probably their best spell of the half. City penned Grantham back and almost got an equaliser in the 89th minute. A great ball in from Craig Pope found Simpson, he was partially thwarted but the ball broke to Miller who on the turn produced a sweetly struck shot that whistled inches past the post.

Deep into injury time this feisty local derby which had contained thirty five fouls, seven bookings and a red card, offered up one more piece of controversy. City were awarded a free-kick just outside the area. On it's first taking Fox was booked for encroachment, as he returned to the wall for the retake he fell to the floor clutching his face following a coming together with Miller, however despite cries from around the ground for another red card, the referee took no action and in the end the free-kick, once taken, was ballooned over the bar by Rob Nightingale, much to the pleasure of the home faithful.