CITY were unlucky to slip to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Bromsgrove Sporting in a full-blooded local derby which was played in front of a large and vocal crowd.
It was City who came out of the blocks with purpose and there was an early opening for Dave Reynolds who fired wide from a tight angle.
Shortly afterwards, Nick Turton hit a shot on the turn that was well saved as we started on the front-foot.
Our hosts went close through Quaynor before an unfortunate ricochet saw the ball fall to Cowley whose effort flew over.
As the home side started to get into their stride, we had some defending to do to keep them at bay. Pykett tried his luck but was off target before a header from Reynolds at the other end crept just the wrong side of the post.
Some tricky play from Alex Tomkinson saw him look to launch a counter-attack but his ball in search of Turton was cut out.
There was plenty of cut-and-thrust on the pitch in front of a crowd of almost 1,500 and Jamie Smith was next to try his luck as a shooting chance opening up for him, but his effort was wayward.
A spell of pressure from the home side saw City forced to defend for their lives on the half-hour mark.
With young Przybek making his first start in goal for City, he did well to thwart Cowley but picked up a knock for his troubles. Thankfully, with no ‘keeper on the bench, he was able to continue after treatment.
The young ‘keeper then did well in the next attack to deny Gregory whilst at the other end, Reynolds’ drive lacked the necessary power to trouble the home ‘keeper.
After we had penalty appeals waved away after Turton went down inside the area, a neat move ended with Jamie Smith getting in an inviting cross which managed to evade everyone in the middle.
It looked as though the half was going to end goalless until our hosts grabbed a goal in stoppage time when Cowley managed to break into the area and get in a low strike that arrowed into the net.
It was hard luck on City who had battled well for the majority of the opening period.
The second half started with Birch booked for a foul as we set about the task of getting back into the game against the League leaders.
A positive run from Turton ended with his strike saved whilst a series of corners caused concern for the home side.
The equaliser finally arrived just before the hour-mark when Tomkinson got in a strike that was blocked by the ‘keeper and Mat Birley was on hand to fire the rebound home to make it 1-1.
Boosted by the goal, a free-kick for a foul on Reynolds was delivered into the danger zone by Tomkinson but the ‘keeper did well to claim under pressure.
City were in the ascendancy at this point and looking the most likely side as Reynolds went close before Birley’s strike in the next attack hit Reynolds and went wide of the target.
As the clock ticked down, Sporting started to get a hold of the game again and Przybek did well to save from Gregory.
It was still anyone’s game going into the final ten minutes and it was the home side who edged back in front on 84 minutes when Cowley went through and stayed calm to guide the ball beyond the reach of the ‘keeper.
It was tough luck on City but we refused to let our heads drop and pushed for a leveller. A foul on Birch gave us a free-kick in a promising position but George Forsyth was off target and with that went our chance of getting any points reward from this local derby.

CITY: Przybek, Forsyth, J Smith, Stoddart, M Smith, Hayward, Birley, Birch, Turton (Danks), Reynolds (Robinson), Tomkinson (Baldwin). Subs not used: Halil, Moran.
BOOKING(S); Birch, Birley, J. Smith
GOAL(S): Birley
ATTENDANCE: 1,423