LATE HEARTBREAK FOR CITY

CITY were hit by a stoppage time goal as we slipped to a 2-1 defeat at Heanor Town.
An early free-kick from George Forsyth caused concern for our hosts as he delivered an inviting ball into the area which evaded everyone.
A corner for Heanor forced Nathan Vaughan into a save just before the quarter-hour mark, whilst moments later Lee Hughes was on defensive duties as he cleared a home raid.
Some neat link-up play between Alex Tomkinson and Dave Reynolds saw the latter get in a shot on the turn that landed just over.
A positive run from Tomkinson saw him make good progress before finding Hughes who in turn picked out Bekir Halil in a wide position and his eventual cross was claimed by the ‘keeper under pressure.
Another positive passage of play involving Tomkinson saw him cross for Hughes who was denied by the ‘keeper.
City were looking the more threatening team in an attacking sense and there was another chance for Hughes following an intelligent ball from Nathan Hayward, but the joint manager failed to get a proper connection on his strike.
We were searching for an end product as the half wore on and a free-kick from Forsyth picked out Mark Smith whose effort was blocked.
After bookings for Hayward and Weir, there was a chance for the lively Tomkinson who went close before a break from the home side saw Vaughan called into action to make the save.
Right on the stroke of half-time, the home side went close as we went in with the scoreline locked at 0-0 going into the break.
There was an early scare for City at the start of the second period when a slip from Vaughan almost let the hosts in but he managed to make amends.
A strike from Hazeldine flashed just wide for Heanor whilst at the other end, a probing pass from Tomkinson found Reynolds who was denied from close range.
The deadlock was finally broken on 56 minutes when Craddock played through Vickers who rounded Vaughan before slotting home.
Brad Birch did well to force a corner and as the ball came into to the far post, Jordan Stoddart’s header was scrambled off the line and into the path of Birch who made no mistake with 73 minutes on the clock.
In the wake of the goal we started to up the pressure again as Hughes set up Reynolds who fired over.
On 87 minutes Birch saw his strike blocked for a corner that was scrambled clear before Mark Smith had an attempt that was saved on the line by the ‘keeper as the home side breathed a sigh of relief.
With the home ‘keeper staying down in a bid to run down the clock, Mark Smith was shown a second yellow card for questioning whether he really required the physio to come on and treat him.
It left City facing stoppage time with ten men and boosted by their good fortune, Heanor went on to grab a last-gasp winner to break City hearts as a counter-attack ended with a low strike find its way into the net through a crowd of players despite Vaughan getting a hand to the ball.
It was heartbreak for City.

CITY: Vaughan, Forsyth, Weir, M. Smith, Stoddart, Hayward, Halil, Birch, Hughes (Danks), Reynolds, Tomkinson (Baldwin). Subs not used: Thomas, Gwynne.
BOOKING(S): Hayward, Weir, Reynolds
RED CARD: M. Smith
GOAL(S): Birch