City cruised to a fourth successive league win to consolidate their position in second place but victory came at a price with Lee Chaffey sustaining a serious injury as a result of an extremely poor challenge.

With Dale Binns still sidelined by the injury that forced his early withdrawal from Saturday’s victory over Bognor a fit again Dave Sadler returned after a five match absence to an otherwise unchanged starting line up.

Robbie Simpson prepares to receive a pass

Under new boss Jimmy Bolton, Athletic ended a dismal run of one point from seven games with a 2-0 victory over Basingstoke at the weekend, courtesy of goals from Sam Saunders and Nic McDonnell. Bradley Pritchard, who replaced Andy Cyrus during the win retained his place and in the only other change Mark Costello was promoted from the bench ahead of Ali Reeve.

The hosts looked to pick up where they had left off on Saturday and neat, incisive play between Craig Pope and Robbie Simpson had soon enabled the teenage striker to turn inside onto his left foot and fire low towards Stuart Searle’s near post forcing the former Aldershot ‘keeper into early action.

The game was barely ten minutes however when Sam Saunders committed the tackle that was to effectively shape the remainder of the evening’s proceedings. He was high and late on City left back Chaffey, the contact audible in all parts of the ground. Despite lengthy treatment and after a vain attempt to regain his feet, the 20 year old defender, only recently returned from another serious injury, was stretchered off and taken to hospital.

To be fair to referee Paul Martin he did not appear to have a clear view of the incident and under the circumstances a yellow card was as much as he could administer.

With Lee Summerscales hurried into action as a replacement, City’s early rhythm was significantly disrupted and with the visitors offering little in return, the game became a scrappy, disjointed affair.

Nearly half an hour had elapsed before the Lilywhites managed to open up the visitors again. On this occasion Robbie Simpson combined with namesake Josh who played in Dave Sadler through the inside right channel some fifteen yards out. The former Hinckley hit-man struck a raking drive across the face of goal which beat Searle and drifted wide despite the best efforts of Matt Robinson to slide in at the far post.

As City settled, good work by Alex Fiddes created space for Craig Pope to cross, Dave Sadler was on the end of the centre but angled his header narrowly wide.

Richard Scott rides a midfield challenge

Understandably Carshalton’s best moments came from wide on the right where full back Colin Hartburn and Saunders combined to good effect. The former Tooting defender created the visitors’ first real opening when his accurate cross picked out Des Boateng in space on the edge of the City box, but the midfielder produced a finish that was little stronger than a back pass and Duncan Roberts fielded comfortably.

Hartburn and Saunders combined again moments later to present Nic McDonnell with a decent heading opportunity but the former Crawley striker was unable to apply an effective finish.

Just when it appeared the half was destined to end goalless City produced a strike out of nowhere to break the deadlock. Ironically, it was Saunders’ over-confidence that created the opening for the hosts. An ill-advised and poorly executed sliding challenge on Lee Summerscales allowed the Lilywhites’ rangy substitute to waltz around the prone wide man and send a perfectly weighted through ball into the space behind Hartburn (who had pushed forward to support his colleague). Robbie Simpson reacted instantly and raced deep into Athletic territory drawing the one covering defender before squaring to Dave Sadler who sided-footed past the stranded Searle from 10 yards out for his fifteenth goal of the season.

With a one goal cushion Gary Roberts was able to allow Richard Scott to continue his rehabilitation with another 45 minutes of first team football, Alex Fiddes making way on this occasion.

Those who have not witnessed City on their travels this season were then given the opportunity to see how their counter attacking game has already amassed 10 league victories away from Milton Road.

With the visitors forced to come onto them City sat deeper and concentrated on retaining possession, and hit their opponents with a series of lightening breaks.

Simpson slots home City's third goal

With the game little short of an hour old it was effectively over as a contest. Visiting skipper Matt York floored the industrious Josh Simpson in centre field. Craig Pope angled the resultant free kick into Dave Sadler who held the ball up on the edge of the box before feeding (Josh) Simpson with a neat lay off which was clinically dispatched into the bottom corner of the net and beyond Searle by the Academy youngster.

Yet again poor finishing denied Carshalton a lifeline as they scorned an opportunity to halve the deficit moments later. Saunders’ corner was headed into the six yard box by Laurie Stewart but with the City back line slow to react Billy Harding failed to connect with his attempted header.

With both teams resigned to the fact that the result was unlikely to change a series of substitutions followed, interrupted only by City’s third and final goal scored as a result of another breakaway. Rob Miller, on as one of those substitutes moments earlier, overpowered Bradley Pritchard in centre field, surged forward and played a slide rule pass into the path of Robbie Simpson who outpaced the trailing defence before slotting his shot skilfully under the advancing Searle to secure City’s biggest home win of the season.

There was still time for Simpson to come close to doubling his tally as he profited from good work by Matt Robinson and Rob Miller before Mr Martin finally brought the curtain down on a comprehensive victory.