City’s unbeaten run of nine league games ground to a halt as they slumped to a disappointing home defeat at the hands of relegation threatened Maidenhead United.

After experiencing mixed fortunes in two vastly differing cup ties played last week, Gary Roberts made three changes from the team which bowed out of the FA Trophy at the hands of Hucknall. Brady Stone, eligible to return to the defence, slotted in alongside Matt Langston allowing Lee Chaffey to revert to left back at the expense of Lee Summerscales. Rob Miller was preferred to Richard Scott in midfield and Sam Cooper earned his first start for his new club wide on the left, Dale Binns still struggling for full fitness making way.

Dave Sadler and Josh Simpson get involved in midfield action

Maidenhead came into the game on the back of some indifferent form although they had recorded crucial victories over fellow strugglers St Albans and Carshalton in recent weeks. They were last in action at the weekend, coming from behind at York Street to draw 1-1 with Hayes thanks to Craig O’Connor’s leveller. Manager Dennis Greene also making three changes, Hayes loanee Rob Bixby replacing Rob Paris in defence, Brian Connor coming in for Simon Patterson and Jamie Cook gaining a start over namesake Lewis.

With the weather wintry and unpredictable and the pitch showing the signs of five home games in just over three weeks it was City who drew first blood. Dave Sadler was fouled wide on the left allowing Sam Cooper to send a free kick dipping into the near post where Matt Langston was on hand to put Adam Federici under pressure, the Reading loanee grateful to scramble the ball behind for a corner.

However City looked sluggish at the other end of the park and had already received one warning when Guy Ekwalla found himself in a lot of space on the edge of the box before a break down the visitors right saw the ball worked inside to O’Connor who got behind Brady Stone but was foiled by an excellent Duncan Roberts block as the ‘keeper moved smartly off his line.

With only eight minutes of the game gone there came a pivotal moment in the course of the afternoon. Rob Miller played the ball forward to Dave Sadler in the centre circle, City’s leading marksman took a great first touch and peeled away to the right and freed Matt Robinson with a perfectly weighted pass. Tuesday night’s hat trick hero raced goalwards only to be somewhat cynically chopped down by Federici just outside the area. As Bryan Smith had got back to cover behind his ‘keeper, referee Mr Horwood rightly showed only a yellow card but City’s best chance of scoring had gone, despite Cooper’s well placed free kick forcing the Australian U20 international ‘keeper to go full length to his left to save.

The Lilywhites still looked less than secure at the back and as Jamie Cook’s left sided corner was only partly cleared the ball was played back into Peter Adeniyi who shot across Roberts forcing the giant custodian down to his left to save at the expense of a corner.

City found themselves on the back foot for long spells. Unable to retain any meaningful possession they were second best in the midfield battle where the visitors won practically all of the loose or second balls. The hosts were forced to play predominantly on the break and only occasionally showed flashes of the incisive play that has characterised their season so far. With five minutes of the half remaining Craig Pope’s measured pass out from defence allowed Matt Robinson to angle a deft header into the path of Sadler but the former Hinckley hit-man was too heavy with his first touch which, as a result, narrowed his angle on goal forcing a shot across the face of the area which drifted away to safety.

Latest signing, Sam Cooper on the ball

In an attempt to pose the Magpies’ defence (which had for the most part looked more than comfortable), some different problems to deal with Gary Roberts introduced Jon Stevenson at the interval, Sam Cooper departing from the action and Matt Robinson switching to the left.

There were no early indications that the pattern of the game had changed however when on 52 minutes the visitors spurned an excellent opportunity to grab the lead. Cook’s corner arrived at the feet of skipper Lee Kersey whose powerful drive was blocked by the outstretched boot of Craig Pope defending the far post. The ball broke for Adeniyi who somehow managed to blaze high and wide from point blank range with the goal at his mercy.

O’Connor’s probing run down the right hand side saw him keep Matt Langston at arm’s length before his low centre to the near post had Stone and Roberts at full stretch in averting the danger.

In an attempt add some quality to the service being provided from the middle of the park Gary Roberts introduced Richard Scott for Rob Miller on the hour.

It was still the visitors who were asking all the questions however and good link-up play between Cook and Brain Connor set up Kelvin McIntosh, the former Oxford United midfielder foiled only by Roberts’ brave smothering block.

With the game three quarters of the way through City got a rare sight of the visitors’ goal. Lee Chaffey delivered the ball into the space between Federici and his defenders, the ‘keeper came and flapped unconvincingly presenting Dave Sadler with a good opportunity from close range but when a header seemed the most obvious option, the Lilywhites 16 goal marksman elected to shoot and his effort squirmed across the face of the area and behind for a goal kick.

Another presentable opportunity was worked moments later. This time Sadler was the provider with an unselfish run down the left, Matt Robinson took over and squared for Josh Simpson who in turn fed Carl Williams through the inside right channel, the wide-man’s first time strike beating Federici and shaving the outside of the post.

But for Duncan Roberts Maidenhead could have been comfortably ahead before he produced his best save of the afternoon with little over a quarter of an hour remaining. Substitute Lawrence Yaku got free down the Magpies’ right and played the ball inside to McIntosh who seemed destined to score until the former Oldham ‘keeper produced yet another top class stop, again from point blank range.

Jon Stevenson, who had struggled to make an impact, largely through a lack of service, then found himself obstructed some thirty yards out. Richard Scott flighted a quality free kick into Brady Stone but the former Cambridge United youngster was unable to find the finish to herald his permanent transfer to Milton Road and saw his unchallenged header sail over the bar.

Carl Williams pulls away from his marker

In a moment that typified City’s difficulties in competing in midfield the hosts saw a corner move break down, Adeniyi and McIntosh led the breakaway and reached the Lilywhites box without coming under serious challenge, the ball finally finding its’ way back to Duncan Roberts after Josh Simpson’s clearance cannoned off Jamie Cook.

Inevitably, having got out of jail on more than one occasion City’s luck ran out and they conceded inside the final ten minutes. Yaku was allowed to break down the visitors’ right and despite an excellent recovery tackle by Brady Stone the Lilywhites back line looked undermanned, an inability to clear effectively saw the ball end up at the feet of Lewis Cook via O’Connor's miscontrol, who lashed home from close range giving Roberts no chance.

In chasing the game Duncan Roberts rushed a kick from hands which fell short and was intercepted by Jamie Cook who was quick to release Yaku but Roberts atoned for his error by completing another block and preventing the visitors from extending their lead.

Lee Chaffey’s driving run and shot from left back lifted the spirits of the home fans momentarily but it was too little too late to salvage the game and Mr Horwood’s final whistle signalled the Lilywhites’ first league defeat at Milton Road since St Albans 2-0 victory on Boxing Day.

With successive away games against play-off contenders Eastbourne, Lewes and Bishop’s Stortford to come over the next couple of weeks City will need to show more of the ‘bouncebackability’ that has been the trademark of their successful season so far.