City Boss Tim Harris will be glad to see the back of January as City slipped to a 3rd defeat in four games for the month. Since the long break in December, the side have been unable to create the same form which saw previously saw seven wins in nine games.

Facing a Shifnal side who narrowly lost at Claines Lane just two weeks ago, City welcomed back Billy Shaw who made his first start for nearly three weeks and Jamie Smith made a start at left back in front of Sam Whitton but soon had their backs to the wall after going 2-0 down inside the first 8 minutes.

The first of the goals came on 6 minutes after the hosts won a free kick on their left which saw Aaron Roberts attempted clearance fall to Andre Brown on the edge of the box, he headed the ball to Jack Fishman wide on the left who put a deep cross into the back post which was pulled back by Matthew Barnes-Homer to Andre Brown who flicked the ball past Adam Harrison from close range.

Things went from bad to worse for City as a stray pass from George Baker went straight out from the re-start. The throw in towards the City box saw Brown nip in front of Callum Debar setting up Ofori on the left, his pull back found Matthew Barnes-Homer in the clear just inside the box for an easy tap in from 14 yards out.

The stray passes continued for City but chances were created, the first from George Baker who shot straight at the keeper and two from the edge of the box from Rhys Taylor-Randle but none really threatened. Billy Shaw then had a chance with a header after Taylor-Randle sent in a cross from the left but he only managed to glance it into the hands of Sheridan Martinez on the near post. City then forced a series of corners but none of them beat the first man and were easily dealt with. Bailey Fuller then had a glorious opportunity after being put through by Will Gibbons on the right but his shot went well wide.

Just before half-time, Tyrone Ofori was sent clear down the right, beating the office trap, he took the ball to the goal line before pulling back to Andre Brown who couldn't get a connection and the ball was cleared.

The second half saw City with more of the ball but when the hosts did break, they more likely to score whilst at the other end Martinez handled everything thrown his way.

There was a setback on 60 minutes as Fortune Maphosa went off injured to be replaced by Sam Hall and Billy Shaw was replaced soon after by Ben Tilbury.

City did get the ball in the box on numerous occasions but most of the play was broken down after goalmouth scrambles.

Reece Taylor was sent on an overlapping run down the right by Ofori with a perfectly weighted ball and he took one touch before hitting a tremendous shot from the edge of the box which went centimetres wide. City responded immediately forcing a free kick just outside the box, however Jamie Smith's goal bound shot was tipped over by Martinez and out for a corner.

City huffed and puffed and there was plenty of effort but a lack of a finishing touch left the side well short against another well organised opposition.