Another Red Insure cup match, another stint of extra time. And another somewhat trying experience for those fans who braved the cold. Admittedly, there was a better turn out than at the previous away tie at Woodford when experts gauged the crowd at between 36-40 – there was some controversy about whether the two nice ladies on the tea stand could be counted as part of the attendance – but it was a sparse turn out on a bitter night.

Team news: John Frendo and Jamie Barker started in attack; Laurie Stewart played at right back and Tony Burke was out, presumably injured.

In the opening minutes, from the number of chances the Lilywhites carved out it looked as if at least one goal would come. Barker was through on four minutes, his fine shot pushed aside by the simian Ian Browne for a corner from which Lee Chaffey headed over. John Frendo found himself just four yards out on 12 minutes and hit a volley that surely had to find the net – but Browne once again flung himself across his line and saved. If Frendo had slightly mishit the ball or shinned it, it would have gone in. As it was, it was at the right height and was too close to the keeper. Such is a striker’s lot.

But he had a chance to make amends just one minute later when Neil Midgley closed down the keeper who miskicked his clearance straight to Frendo who again couldn’t find the net.

So, fifteen minutes in and four good chances and then….nothing. For some reason, City fell back and played too deeply, allowing Arlesey into the game and giving them the chance to play some pretty passing football, which fortunately for City didn’t end in much pressure on their goal, although when Adrian Cambridge was dispossessed on 26 minutes, Zema Abbey was able to get his shot away.

During this flat period there was at least one face familiar to City fans who was doing well. Unfortunately it belonged to Stuart Sinclair, now playing at full back for the visitors in a deeper role than he used to play in his time at Milton Road. Some things never change, however, and it needs to be noted that he must still be spending the GNP of a small nation on hair care products. Because he’s worth it.

Towards the end of the half, City managed to get back into the game, first when Cambridge’s free kick on the edge of the box was blazed into a morass of players before being blocked and then on 39 when Chaffey walloped one in which skipper Derek Brown blocked, the ball quickly breaking until Moses Ololaye found himself bearing down on Zac Barrett, the City keeper smothering the attack.

Half time and no score. Not great. Not bad. Just…nil-nil. Room for improvement, as they say.

The crowd had hardly had time to draw breath following the scrum for the bar and warmth when the bell sounded for round two and out came the visitors on the attack. A rather hopeful long cross was sent in from the left by Luke Gregson. It went high over the defence, hit the inside of the post and bounced off Barrett and into the net, despite the 'keeper's best attempts to prevent it crossing the line. An own goal or one for the Arseley man? To be honest, I haven’t a clue. Wait for the video. A freakish, fluky goal, but one that nevertheless put City firmly on the back foot.

With the forwards making little impression, it was time for Gary Roberts to try his luck with some fresh legs. On came Patrick Bexfield, Ricky Miller and Steve Gentle and off trotted Stewart, Ashley Fuller and Frendo. But still no joy. As a final resort, Chaffey was sent into attack with almost immediate results. When he turned and shot on 84 the ball looked destined for the corner of the net, only to be deflected wide for a corner. The on 86 both teams seemed to be taking part in "a how many men can we fit into the six yard area" competition, the ball being hacked around in the style of a school yard game when it was next goal wins. Still no goal.

Seconds later Gentle chested down and the resulting volley was saved. Surely, that was that? But no. Miller wriggled through into the penalty area, was caught by Carl Kavanagh's late challenge and went sprawling. Referee Wade Norcott gave the penalty which Midgley converted and the crowd settled back to enjoy a continuation of this footballing fiesta in extra time. No, only kidding. No, only kidding.

Fortunately from a City perspective, matters were settled in the first period. Chaffey, who on another day could have scored a hat trick, saw a fine volley well saved by Browne – in fact, for a second it looked as if he had scored. A nano-second later it appeared that Gentle had netted the rebound but his shot cannoned off the bar. It took Dave Theobald to finally thump the ball home to give City the lead.

The final 20 minutes had their scares but in truth, Barrett wasn’t asked to produce anything by way of a real save and despite looking a little ragged at times, the Lilywhites held on. The last time City went to extra time on a heavy pitch they lost their following league match. Let’s hope that they fare better at Leamington on Saturday.

Best players for City? Probably Messers Chaffey and Midgley. The latter has, incidentally, scored 11 times in all competitions since Christmas.

A win is a win and the semi-finals beckon. Better in than out, as they say.