It was a match that ended up being a scrappy affair, with both teams giving the ball away too easily. In a fairly even first half, both sides had chances to take the lead, but neither could take advantage. The first chance of the game fell to City’s Daniel Nti, as he got on the end of a Deon Burton flick on but his shot was deflected and easily taken by Brackley’s Sam Hornby.

The Saints then began to create chances themselves, but couldn’t capitalise. Firstly, James Akintunde got behind the City defence using his strength, but fired wide. Steve Diggin then hit City on the break from their own corner, however his shot was deflected and gathered by Nathan Vaughan.

City grew back into the game after the half hour mark, as Tyler Weir’s powerful drive was too strong for the Saints keeper who spilled it wide. City couldn’t make the most of the resulting corner. Skipper Ellis Deeney was stood over a free kick as Ebby Nelson-Addy was fouled down the right, however his free kick was scrambled away by the Brackley defence right in front of Hornby’s goal.

Brackley could, and probably should, have taken the lead as Diggin missed a sitter. Eddie Odhiambo crossed the ball down the right, where it found the unmarked Diggin at the back post but he headed wide from six yards with the goal gaping.

The second half was dominated by the visitors, but West Brom loanees Shaun Donnellan and George Cleet, as well as Nathan Vaughan, had superb second half displays to keep the Saints out.

The first real chance of the second half came through a mistake by Tyler Weir, who lost possession on the half way line but Diggin’s cross from the right was blocked wide. Then Vaughan was called into action by Glen Walker, who beat the offside trap and hit a volley eight yards out which was palmed away by the City number one. Vaughan was called upon once again, as a shot from distance by Brackley was saved by the City Keeper.

Then on 75 minutes Vaughan thwarted Brackley with an outstanding reflex save. The ball was put into the City box where a Saints player diverted the ball into another direction, which looked certain to nestle in the corner of the net. However Vaughan brilliantly saved the shot onto the bar, and City were able to clear.

Tristian Dunkley then created a chance for City to take the lead, as he cleverly burst down the left only for his low cross to be diverted wide by Saints centre half Pablo Mills.

In the last 5 minutes of the match both teams had a chance to snatch a late win, but neither would result to be a winner. Brackley captain Joe Clarke hit a free kick from 25 yards out over the bar, and City right back Sam Minihan hit a shot on the half volley but was straight at Hornby.

City are unbeaten in their last 4 home league matches, and end 2015 15th in the Vanarama National League North.

Match Report By Keiren Bullimore.