CITY battled out a good three points with a hard-earned 1-0 win at Rugby Town.
It was City who started on the front-foot and an early corner from James Baldwin caused problems for the home side as they managed to scramble clear.
There was further concern for the home side in the fifth minute when a corner, this time from George Forsyth, picked out Dave Reynolds whose shot on the turn crept just wide.
Some commanding defending from Mark Smith thwarted the home side as they looked to create their first opening of the game, whilst at the other end, Reynolds threads the ball through to Baldwin who went close.
The home side went close when Nathan Vaughan came out of his area to clear but was beaten to it by the Rugby Town forward who failed to get his strike on target.
Nathan Hayward linked up well with Brad Birch as the latter managed to get in a strike that was saved.
There were chances at either end as both sides looked to take the initiative. Reynolds went close again with another effort on the turn before Baldwin looked to create an opening but he was crowded out.
Just before the half-hour mark Forsyth tried his luck from distance as the ‘keeper did well to deny him then Alex Tomkinson had an effort blocked by the ‘keeper as Reynolds put the rebound over.
As half-time approached, the home side forced a succession of corners which required City to work hard to keep them at bay.
Right at the end of the opening period, Baldwin did well to find some space but his strike went wide from a good position as we went in at the break goalless.
After Tomkinson headed wide after the restart, City grabbed the initiative on 53 minutes when a melee inside the area saw Baldwin go down as the ball fell to Reynolds who made no mistake to fire home.
Baldwin was denied by the ‘keepers’ legs as we pushed for a second goal, whilst Vaughan had to be alert to save at the other end.
Tempers were starting to boil over between two competitive sides looking to push-on up the table. It was frantic stuff as the game was finely poised going into the closing stages.
Another inviting corner caused problems for the home side and as the ball was half-cleared to Matt Birley, his strike was blocked with the rebound finding Birch who also saw his low attempt rebound back into the path path of Birley who lashed over.
It was certainly end-to-end with both teams giving their all. There was a let-off for City when the home side put a golden chance well over the crossbar.
As the rain lashed down, Mark Danks has a shot that was straight at the ‘keeper and then Birch headed wide as we entered eight minutes of stoppage time.
There was one last big effort by City to keep our hosts at bay and claim an important three points.

CITY: Vaughan, Weir (Birley), J. Smith, Stoddart (Thomas), M. Smith, Hayward, Forsyth, Birch, Baldwin, Reynolds (Danks), Tomkinson. Subs not used: Gwynne, Moran.
GOAL(S): Reynolds.