The biggest question of the day was whether City could bounce back after their disappointing defeat in midweek which saw their unbeaten start to the season come to a shuddering halt.

A long trip to Wales was hardly the ideal match, especially as the Welsh side were in decent form, being unbeaten in four. And their lowly position in the table would be very different had they not been docked ten points when going into administration - indeed, at the start of play, they would have been sitting 8th and looking very comfortable.

Manager Gary Roberts was forced to rethink his back four following Tom Pepper’s move back to Hitchin in the week, drafting in Laurie Stewart to join James Krause, Lee Chaffey and Dave Theobald at the back. Skipper Adrian Cambridge returned to the fold, while Ashley Fuller was awarded a place on the bench.

Persistent rain, a heavy pitch and as much mud as you might ever want aren’t the ingredients for flowing football and not surprisingly, it took some time for both sides to find their rhythm. Indeed it was the pitch that both created and thwarted an opportunity for Neil Midgley on 12 minutes when the number 11 shot, saw keeper Andrew Delve slip and fumble the ball, but then lose his own footing rather than follow up.

Zac Barrett put last Saturday’s rare howler behind him, pulling off a number of decent saves throughout the half. But City were hardly sitting back and hoping for a draw. On the half hour, Cambridge won the ball in midfield and ran up field  before releasing Tony Burke. For a moment it looked as if the winger was going to replicate one of his goals from last week as he bore down on Delve, but instead of shooting he squared to Steve Gentle who saw his effort blocked.

Two minutes later, Cambridge was back in the action, belting one over from 25 yards, something Robbie Nightingale also managed shortly after a good run from deep.

It looked as if City should have been awarded a penalty on 38 when Frendo was unceremoniously upended in the box - the home fans feared the worst - but referee Matt Rushton was having none of it and the game continued.

Just as City thought they were going in on level terms, it took a save from the top drawer from Barrett to maintain parity, the keeper diving to his right to knock away Scott Armitage’s effort.

The second half witnessed Merthyr lay siege to the City goal, putting the Lilywhites’ defence under terrific pressure. A combination of wasteful finishing from Marcus Griffiths and Armitage and further heroics from Barrett ensured the scores stayed level. On 65 the City number 1 dived full length to tip away Ryan Dorrian’s stinging effort, producing the save of the match.

However, City were most certainly in the hunt for all three points. On 70 minutes the ball was played down the left where the usually right-sided Burke popped up. He made ground, cut inside and picked out incoming Cambridge, who had run from deep. The City skipper hit his shot, saw it strike Paul Keddle and loop over the helpless Delve and into the net. An element of good fortune to be sure but a worthy reward for some positive, attacking play.

Could City hold on? First they had to repel a hungry Merthyr who were desperate for a goal. Not for the first time this season City showed why they have one of the meanest defences in the league - just fifteen goals shipped this season - as they held firm.

At the other end, substitute Fuller, on for Gentle, created an overlap, managed to get a cross in which Burke came agonisingly close to converting.

No further goals but plenty of cause for celebration as City recorded a precious third away win of the season, enough to take them to second place.

The last word must go to the City faithful who made the long trek to muddy Merthyr - a fantastic effort.