The opening minutes of the match saw City on top, and Ellis Deeney found space 25 yards out but his shot was off target. Daniel Nti then had two chances to put City in the lead, but Gloucester keeper Jasbir Singh kept both efforts out. Nti drilled a free kick in from the left which Singh punched away, and then in similar circumstances, the City number seven cut in from the left where his powerful shot was unconvincingly pushed behind by the Tigers shot stopper.

The deadlock was broken just after the 20 minute mark by City striker Deon Burton. Danny Jackman found space down the left, where his cross was met by the head of Tristian Dunkley, which rattled the crossbar. The ball found Nti on the right, who delivered a great cross to the back post and Burton rose highest to head into the top corner. Burton, who scored the winner against the Tigers on Boxing Day, put City into a deserved lead.

Moments later, Ebby Nelson-Addy received a pass from Dunkley but his shot was easily saved. And Nti arguably should have doubled City’s lead, but he was brilliantly thwarted by Singh who tipped his shot round the post.

Gloucester’s first real chance of the half hit the post, as Harry Williams found space in the box and his left footed strike was denied by the woodwork. Even Williams thought he had scored, as he turned away in celebration after he struck the shot.

City had two half chances to go into the break with a two goal lead, as Nelson-Addy skinned three Gloucester defenders but his effort was saved by Singh. And on loan West Bromwich Albion player George Cleet hit a shot from the edge of the box, which was again dealt with by Singh. The Tigers keeper was by far Gloucester’s best player in the first half.

Approaching half time, City were made to pay for all the chances they failed to put away, as Gloucester scored an equaliser though Williams. Williams, who was agonisingly close with his effort moments earlier, was helped with a deflection this time as it diverted away from Nathan Vaughan and in the net.

The second half had very few chances, and instead turned into a heated battle between the two teams. Nelson-Addy went close early on, as he spun away from a challenge and curled a 30 yard effort just wide.

Gloucester, again against the run of play, were awarded a penalty as Lewis Hall was adjudged to have been brought down illegally in the box. Billy Jones calmly sent Vaughan the wrong way to put Gloucester into a 2-1 lead.

However with firm challenges flying in and Gloucester running the clock down, neither side really had any clear cut chances for the rest of the match. Nelson-Addy shot wide after good work by Nti and Dunkley’s left footed shot from a corner went wide. City substitute Shaun Harrad found space 12 yards out, but his shot was blocked and cleared by the Gloucester defence. In the final few minutes, Jones’ free kick for Gloucester was tipped behind by Nathan Vaughan.

Not the start to the New Year City were hoping for, which was made worse when Vaughan was sent off after the final whistle for constantly protesting to the referee about some of the peculiar decisions he made. The defeat leaves City 17th in the table, 3 points above the relegation zone.

Match Report by Keiren Bullimore