Honours finished even and both sides will have to try again at Milton Road on Tuesday evening after a full-bloodied and often entertaining encounter at the Causeway.

City paraded new signing Alex Fiddes, a versatile midfielder snapped up from Conference South rivals Redbridge, and he was the only change to the side which defeated Bromley the previous week. Loanee Dan Talbot was included amongst the substitutes of which there was a full compliment due to the Reserves not having a fixture.

Robbie Simpson is held back

Despite a bright start by City on the heavy Cinderford pitch, it was the home side that took a shock lead in the sixth minute. Defender Lee Chaffey was laying in apparent agony in his own half, but the home side decided to carry on instead of sportingly kicking the ball into touch. A swift attack followed and the ball arrived at the feet of midfelder Rhys Jones who saw his effort take a wicked deflection which totally wrong-footed Duncan Roberts, despite the keeper’s best efforts, the ball nestled in the net to the delight of the home faithful.

City found themselves in the unusual position of being behind in a game away from home, but with plenty of time left on the clock there seemed no reason to panic. They thought they had restored parity in the 25th minute. Robbie Simpson, rampaging forward, collided with Town goalkeeper Andy Fisher in going for a loose ball. As both players lay on the floor, the ball trickled agonisingly towards the net but got held up in the rutted and pitted surface. Dale Binns, who had been in an offside position at the moment of collision, raced forward and made sure the ball crossed the goal line. Unfortunately, in doing so, he became active and the referees assistant furiously brandished his flag for offside thus saving the home side on this occasion.

City continued to dominate in their quest to get back on terms and Simpson was soon presented with another opportunity. Good work from Fiddes down the flank resulted in the teenage striker ballooning his effort over the crossbar. The visitors didn’t have to wait much longer to reap rewards for their efforts. On 33 minutes, Binns used his pace to get behind the home defence, sending in a perfectly judged cross from which Simpson powered a textbook downward header beyond the reaches of Fisher and into the back of the net. It was just reward for City, but they so nearly fell behind again as attention switched to the other end. Striker Andy Hoskins was only inches away from converting Luke Buttery’s probing left wing cross with a spectacular diving header on the stroke of half-time.

Craig Pope loses sight of the ball

City began the second period at increased pace, Chaffey’s penetrating run down the left wing, his trademark, allowed him to whip a deep cross to the back post. The ball was returned into the danger area by the hardworking Binns and Fiddes saw his first-time effort battered away by Fisher from point-blank range.

The former Redbridge midfielder was becoming more and more influential and was involved in City’s next attack, finding space on the right despite vain Cinderford appeals for offside. Fiddes bore down on goal and saw his fierce shot palmed away by Fisher.

City were by now in total command of proceedings but always had to be on their guard against Cinderford who were playing on the counter. Matt Langston was in the right place at the right time to head one home effort off the line to preserve the status quo.

City had by now introduced Michael Gash to the fray in place of Rob Miller and the teenager went close to putting the visitors in front with twenty minutes remaining. Fiddes was the provider this time, launching a cross to the back post which Gash sidefooted a yard wide with the goal at his mercy.

Against the run of play, Cinderford twice nearly snatched a shock winner. Firstly, centre-half Will Steadman fired in a freekick which took a slight deflection taking the ball beyond the sprawling figure of Roberts, but luckily for the visitors behind for a corner kick. Then, moments later, Jones was allowed to run unchecked across the City backline before drilling his effort just wide of the target, again via a nearly decisive deflection.

Both sides continued to toil in the mire, but neither could find a winning goal in the dying moments. Gary Roberts and his team could have done without a replay with the impending FA Cup tie with Leigh RMI but Cinderford produced worthy opposition on the day.