Resilient City dig in for a point

City produced a resilient and well organised display to claim a point at Edgeley Park in front of a crowd of 3,098

Despite missing three players through suspension, City kept strictly to their jobs & could even have nicked a winner.

Lee Hughes, who signed in the week made his debut up front alongside Nikolay Todorov, Danny Jackman and Rob Elvins moved into the centre of midfield with Ellis Deeney moving over to the left side with Alex Gudger taking up the left back position.

County had the best part of the early exchanges forcing an early corner which was cleared to the edge of the box to Glenn Rule whose powerful shot was well held by Nathan Vaughan.

County continued with further half chances which were defended well by City then on 18 minutes top scorer Callum Dyson forced Vaughan into a finger tip save over the bar. On 25 minutes Dyson again forced Vaughan into a save , this time with a curling effort from the edge of the box.

City's best chance of the first half came on the stroke of half time, Ellis Deeney played Lee Hughes in but with too much on the ball, the stretching Hughes could only gain a corner, which County cleared.

City started the second half on the front foot, with several long periods of possession. Rob Elvins volley from outside the area was blocked

County responded with a neat build up with Lewis Montrose and Jake Kirby, the latter shooting from 25 yards out which was well claimed by Nathan Vaughan.

Lee Hughes, who caused problems all afternoon for the County defence nearly grabbed an opener for City but his effort was turned away by the fingertips of Danny Hurst.

County substitute Sefton Gonzales forced Vaughan into a save from a header then Dyson again shot wide for the hosts.

City fought back with Danny Jackman, Rob Elvins, Ellis Deeney and Daniel Nti busy in the middle of the park & with Lee Hughes and Nikolay Todorov chasing down the County defence, both nearly forcing errors in what looked like lost causes.

With the clock ticking down, County tried to force a winner but the City defence stood firmly, frustrating the hosts to launching the ball forward.

Deep into injury time City conceded a free kick midway in their own half. City defender Tom Sharpe collided with County substitute Lamin Colley in the penalty box & with Sharpe on the ground Colley struck out who he thought had upended him, Alex Gudger, right under the nose of the referee who immediately brandished a red card.

City saw out the remainder of the 5 minutes added time to claim a well earned point and the first clean sheet of the season.

Att: 3,098