Robbie Simpson was the toast of the travelling City fans as Gary Roberts’ men picked up a very valuable away point at Marston Road on Saturday. In contrast to last weekend’s disappointing draw with Chippenham, this particular 1-1 draw will be very much viewed as a point gained against highly placed hosts, and bearing in mind the tight nature of the league table as a plethora of clubs chase a top thirteen finish.

City's new signing Carl Wilson-Denis homes in on the ball

The City manager made a vairety of changes for different reasons. Lee Pluck was ruled out with a pulled hamstring and Lee Chaffey was called up to play in central defence, Stuart Niven returned in midfield at the expense of the injured Rob Nightingale, Simpson replaced the suspended left winger Louis Riddle and new loanee signing Carl Wilson-Denis was given a debut in favour of Danny Bloomfield who was on the bench.

The visitors made a bright start to the game on a pitch that was clearly showing the rigours of a wet winter. As early as the sixth minute, Lewis Baillie’s throw-in found Wilson-Denis who delicately flicked into the path of the marauding Simpson. The dynamic youngster showed no hesitation in trying his luck from distance, whistling a first-time effort a foot over the bar. A portent of things to come from the striker.

City were playing some nice, accurate passing on the tricky surface. Newcomer Wilson-Denis catching the eye early on with some nice touches, fitting in well considering he had only met all but two of his team mates on the day of the game. Despite the attractive nature of the early passing, neither side seriously threatened apart from Simpson’s early foray.

With twenty minutes on the clock, once again it was Simpson at the heart of things. He charged down Craig McAughtrie’s attempted clearance out on the left and scurried towards goal again before aiming another effort at Ryan Price’s goal. This time his cross-cum-shot sailed narrowly over. At the other end, Stafford were also pressing but were unable to pick their way through a well-organized City rearguard despite the continual prompting of the dangerous NIck Colley and powerful front running of local hero Danny Davidson.

Lee Chaffey heads goalwards forcing the keeper to turn the ball over the bar

The home side had to wait until the 37th minute for their first really meaningful assault on Martin Davies’ goal. Craig Lovatt ran onto McAughtrie’s intelligent lay-off but hooked his effort harmlessly wide of the target. Attention switched to the other end and, on the stroke of half-time, Price had to react quickly to tip the ball over as Chaffey arrived at the back post following Niven’s inswinging free-kick.

Soon afterwards the referee brought to a close a half which had produced some fairly good football but not too many clearcut chances, if any.

A pep talk from manager Gary Roberts saw City begin the second period brightly. Straight from the re-start they nearly caught Rangers napping. Niven played the ball swiftly up to Matt Nolan and the striker loped past two seemingly dis-interested defenders before drilling a shot just wide of Price’s righthand post.

Five minutes later City continued the good work, Carl Williams’ incisive ball into the penalty area eluded Wilson-Denis and the home goalkeeper had to react quickly to save at the feet of Simpson as the visitors threatened an early second half goal.

On the hour came a rarity in this game, a serious attempt on target. It fell the way of the home side, Lee Downes swung over a dangerous corner right onto Wayne Daniels’s head but the big defender’s effort, under pressure from Langston, was headed off the line by Craig Pope. Moments later, Davidson was lucky to escape a red card after tangling with Baillie near the touchline. Both players squared up to each other like rutting stags, Davidson appearing to butt the City defender. After consulting with his linesman, the referee decided to take a lenient view and only brandished a yellow card, much to the relief of most of the crowd.

With fifteen minutes left on the clock, Stafford broke the deadlock. It was a goal of real quality, substitute Robin Gibson took advantage of a lucky riccochet off the legs of Langston and Robert Heath to escape down the right flank. His cross from the bye line was met first time, on the turn, by Craig Wilding, the ball flashing into the top corner with Davies a mere spectator.

Home keeper Ryan Price beats Robbie Simpson to a cross

City were stunned by this and were rocking, as Stafford went in search of a killer second goal. Roberts replaced a tiring Wilson-Denis with Lee Summerscales who played wide left with Simpson moving into the middle to partner the recently introduced Danny Bloomfield.

With four minutes remaining Lovatt admirably took on both Chaffey and Langston as he bludgeoned his way through in an attempt to put the game out of the visitors reach. He was repelled, but seconds later Davidson squandered a gilt-edged chance of his own to seal City’s fate. Priced thumped the ball upfield, Lovatt powerfully headed on and the lanky striker galloped after it, running past tiring defenders to go one-on-one with Davies. He managed to sidestep Davies but, with an open goal and three certain points there for the taking, the league’s top scorer inexplicably took another touch, allowing Langston to produce a superb tackle to rob him, Baillie was on hand to hoof the ball to safety.

Davidson’s, and the home fans’ misery was compounded seconds later as City took avantage of their lucky escape in extraordinary style. Niven played the ball into the area, in a last ditch attack, Moore could only head the ball up in the air and it dropped invitingly for Simpson who thrashed an exquisite volley which soared into the net past the rooted Price. Simpson and his jubilant team mates celebrated in style by being mobbed by the ecstatic travelling supporters.

Seconds later the final whistle sounded and City had snatched a point from the jaws of defeat. A rather laborious game ended all square. The quality of the goals will live much longer in the memory than the rest of this latest Stafford/Cambridge encounter. For his part, Robbie Simpson was applauded off the field by City fans, team mates and manager alike.

Post match reaction