A solitary Louie Farrington goal was enough to settle a tight Boxing Day derby at the Glassworld Stadium. A result which leaves the Lilywhites trailing the Stutes by six points in the Nationwide Conference South table.

Craig Dobson escapes Histon's Erkan Okay

Histon needed two attempts to overcome Alfreton in the FA Trophy, winning last week’s replay 2-1 courtesy of Jamie Barker’s double strike. Steve Jackman continued to deputise for the injured Colin Vowden in central defence and former Lilywhite Rob Nightingale made way for another player who was at Milton Road earlier in his career, Leon Gutzmore.

City, 2-0 winners at Farnborough last time out were forced to do without the services of the suspended Craig Pope. His place was taken by new signing Lee Soar. Matt Langston and Paul Booth were only fit enough to make the bench, Lee Chaffey moved across into central defence and Dale Binns returned to first team action after his three match ban.

Histon put City under early pressure but the visitors looked lively on the break. Despite enjoying the territorial advantage it was fifteen minutes before Danny Naisbitt was forced into serious action, making a good save low to his right, following a powerful run and shot from Jamie Barker. The part-cleared ball was played back in from the left and Gutzmore bundled home but quite clearly fouled Naisbitt in the process.

City registered their first effort on target when Greg Lincoln tested Key with a free kick after Robbie Simpson had been fouled on the edge of the box.

The Lilywhites seemed to have weathered the aerial bombardment and the visitors’ best move of the opening period saw Craig Dobson and Dale Binns exchange passes before the former Lewes winger fired over the angle of post and crossbar.

Having withstood a succession of set plays City eventually succumbed on 29 minutes. Adie Cambridge launched a long throw from the left which found Jamie Barker on the goal line, a tactic the hosts had already used on a number of occasions. Barker pulled the ball back for Louie Farrington who found space inside the City box and fired past Naisbitt.

Robbie Simpson locks horns with Steve Jackman

Histon posed little threat from open play but they piled on the pressure at every dead ball situation. An Adie Cambridge free kick from wide on the left saw Barker and Farrington homing in on goal as the ball flashed narrowly wide.

With the hosts looking to capitalise on their superiority City were twice indebted to the impressive Lee Chaffey. Firstly Gutzmore chased a hopeful punt upfield and the former Ipswich defender showed good strength to avert the danger. Moments later he was called upon to close out the lively Farrington with a tidy piece of defending which resulted in a Histon corner.

The move broke down and City had a half chance to level as Dale Binns raced clear but his cross shot was held by Lance Key at full stretch.

Gary Roberts made a change at the break introducing Paul Booth at the expense of Craig Dobson with Robbie Simpson moving out to the right to accommodate the switch.

Histon had the first chance of the period when an Adie Cambridge corner was only partially cleared and Neil Andrews fired into the side netting.

City then began to get on top and enjoy a spell of superiority during which they should had taken at least one of their chances to draw level.

Greg Lincoln sent Paul Booth clear with an angled pass but the former Welling striker was unable to get an early shot off and was held up by Matt Haniver before curling his effort narrowly over the bar.

Histon clear their lines

Booth’s introduction gave City the cutting edge they had been lacking in the opening period and it was his lay-off on fifty five minutes which sent Josh Simpson clear with only Key to beat but the Histon ‘keeper used all experience and stood tall to block the teenage midfielder.

The hosts withdrew Gutzmore and replaced him with Neil Kennedy who was soon in the thick of the action combining with Barker to free Haniver who rounded off a powerful run with a cross shot which fizzed across the face of Naisbitt’s goal.

City still carried the greater threat at this stage however and good work by Josh Simpson created a crossing opportunity for namesake Robbie whose far post cross found Dave Sadler. The former Hinckley striker’s downward header beat Key but Roscoe Hipperson, who had been dominant throughout was well placed to hack the ball off the line.

Worryingly for the Lilywhites new signing Soar was forced to limp out of the action. He was replaced by Matt Langston and soon afterwards Michael Gash was introduced in place of Binns as City continued to drive forward.

With three minutes remaining Danny Naisbitt launched a long range free kick deep into the Histon area. Matt Langston missed the initial header but the ball fell kindly for Dave Sadler who poked inches wide from close range.

That was to be City’s last chance as the hosts held out for a narrow victory. The return fixture in a week’s time is likely to be just as closely contested.