There were sighs of relief all round when Robbie Nightingale finally gave City the lead and all three points with time nearly up. It looked as if the Lilywhites’ pattern of recent weeks would be yet again followed, with the resultant frustration of having dominated the game with little to show.

City’s attacking intentions were reflected in the formation that Gary Roberts sent out, with three at the back in the shape of Lee Chaffey, Milton Elenge and Dave Theobald and a three man forward line of Jamie Barker, Tony Burke and Ashley Fuller. Meanwhile, the home team who were playing their first match under new manager Peter Beadle and had much to do and prove if they were to pull out of the relegation mire.

The first half was a scrappy affair with few chances at either end. Other than Adrian Cambridge’s first minute free kick which found Barker and Fuller’s shot into keeper Lee Matthews’ arms on 12, City’s best efforts came on 8 when Robbie Nightingale’s shot was the first of four that were to hit the woodwork and on the stroke of half time when Burke had his shot pushed away for a corner.

The second half saw City turn up the heat and launch a series of attacks that put the Clevedon goal under severe pressure. Theobald hit the woodwork on 47 as did Nightingale on 61 – it looked as if it was going to another run of wretched form and luck in front of goal.

Lee Matthews was pressed into action yet again when Cambridge saw his shot palmed away on 67 but then was helpless and relied on the post to thwart substitute Steve Gentle who hit the post on 75. The same man appeared to have the goal at his mercy on 83 but from four yards out headed over when hitting the net seemed certain.

Meanwhile Clevedon were happy to sit deep and play on the break, twice pressing Barrett into action, the City stopper being up to the task on both occasions.

As the 90 minutes drew to a close it looked as if a point would be all City would take home until Burke launched another attack, this time down the left. His cross found Nightingale who rose above his marker to finish. One-nil and game over.

These much needed three points puts City back in the play-off picture – provided they can win their games in hand. There are plenty of points left to play for and the three on offer at Hemel on Tuesday night are crucial to the cause. Let’s hope that plenty of the Lilywhites’ faithful can make the trip and shout on their favourites to a key away victory.