Goals from Matt Warner and Scott Canham either side of the half-time interval were enough for Farnborough to bring their recent poor run of results to and end with a 2-0 victory over a disjointed City side who rarely threatened to get back on terms.

Despite not playing particularly well the Lilywhites picked up a 2-0 win at Carshalton last time out but with Dale Binns (suspension) and Mark Molesley (injured) still missing the hosts were dealt a further blow with the loss of ever-present central defender Matt Langston. Lee Chaffey moved inside to partner Glen Fuff with Dagenham loanee Lee Flynn filling in at left back. Robbie Simpson started on the left of midfield with the newly arrived Greg Lincoln (from Chelmsford) playing in the centre.

Dave Sadler finds himself as the meat in the sandwich

Despite twice levelling through goals from Ashley Sestanovich and Warren McBean, the visitors lost 3-2 to Eastbourne at Cherrywood Road last time out, the latest in a run of results that had seen them collect just one point from four games. Manager Frank Gray made three changes, both goalscorers dropping to the bench to be replaced by Tyron Smith and Paul Harkness respectively, Kevin Scriven was handed the goalkeeper’s jersey ahead of Mark Davidson.

The game opened in a very low key fashion and almost fifteen minutes had passed before either side registered a worthwhile effort on target. Dave Sadler set up strike partner Paul Booth whose low drive from the edge of the box whistled narrowly wide with Scriven slow to react.

Farnborough responded with a long-range effort from Paul Harkness which Danny Naisbitt gathered comfortably.

Greg Lincoln looked neat and tidy in midfield and his measured cross from wide on the right saw Booth homing in on goal before Mark Rooney’s timely headed clearance averted the danger.

There was little to chose between the sides, however the disruption caused to City’s midfield appeared to leave the back line more greatly exposed than usual and on 34 minutes an apparent mix-up let in the grateful Matt Warner to net the opener.

City failed to clear effectively allowing Scott Canham to square across the face of the box into the path of Warner who had ghosted unmarked through the Lilywhites’ right back position leaving the former Wycombe defender with the simple task of slotting past Naisbitt.

Paul Booth helps the ball on it's way

The hosts best passing move of the opening period created a decent chance just three minutes later when Craig Dobson and Dave Sadler combined to move the ball across the pitch to Paul Booth who advanced into the area. Unforunately for the sixteen goal striker his first touch took him wide and when he was able to release a shot the angle was poor and Scriven made a routine save to leave City trailing at the break.

The visitors introduced Ashley Sestanovich in place of Tyron Smith at the interval.

City started much more brightly and Lee Flynn’s partially cleared centre fell to Lincoln who fired over the angle of post and crossbar.

The Liywhites comeback was short lived however as they conceded a decisive second with only six minutes of the half played. With Sestanovich retaining possession to good effect on the edge of the City area he was felled by a poorly timed Lee Chaffey challenge. Scott Canham stepped up and from a central position sent a perfectly flighted free kick over the wall and into the top right hand corner of Danny Naisbitt’s net.

With City looking well below their best, even at this early stage 2-0 seemed like game over.

The visitors made a further change by introducing Sean Hankin for the goalscorer Warner before Gary Roberts tried to revive his side on the hour by bringing on Lee Wilson at left back, releasing Lee Flynn to go forward, switching Robbie Simpson to the right and withdrawing Craig Dobson.

The changes made little difference to the pattern of the game however as City opted to hit a succession of long balls in central areas which were comfortably fielded by Jay Gasson and his fellow defenders.

With the Lilywhites pushing further forward gaps appeared at the back and Farnborough came close to increasing their lead when Carl Gibbs showed good skill to loose Glen Fuff and advance on goal. His shot, under challenge from Lee Chaffey, forced Naisbitt to parry to his right into the path of Harkness but with the former Walton & Hersham midfielder looking favourite to add a third Naisbitt completed a fine double save by forcing the ball behind for a corner.

Lee Flynn puts in a challenge

Robbie Simpson’s switch to the right provided more of a threat and with fifteen minutes to go he sent over a swinging centre which Booth brought down well but couldn’t find the finish to match as he dragged the ball disappointingly across goal.

Moments later City spurned an even better chance. Greg Lincoln’s persistence paid off as he picked out Flynn’s run through the outside left channel. A succession of Farnborough defenders failed to get anything on the ball leaving Flynn with only Scriven to beat in an almost identical position from which Warner had netted earlier. However on this occasion the ball was blazed wide to sum up the Lilywhites’ miserable afternoon.

Farnborough still carried the greater goal threat. The dynamic Matt Pattison picked up the ball deep in his own territory and made a penetrating diagonal run which ended with a fierce cross shot fizzing narrowly wide.

The visitors could have run out more convincing winners had Danny Naisbitt not saved impressively with his legs after Sestanovich had played in Gibbs. From the resultant corner Sestanovich was in the thick of action again, this time finding Gasson who forced Naisbitt into another good save at the foot of the post.

The Lilywhites will hope that at least some of their missing players will be available next Saturday when they meet the same opponents in the FA Trophy. A much improved performance will be needed to avoid an early exit from that competition.