City's lack of goals away from home once again came back to bite as Stone Old Alleynians took all three points.

City were again hampered by an ever increasing injury list and as with many other games this season away from home had plenty of possession without the killer instinct in the box. There was once again plenty of decent build up play in and around the box but a lack of a final ball or shots to test the keeper meant most attacks petered out.

City forced several corners early on, all of which were dealt with by the home defence. There were several good opportunities to play short balls but none were taken and again good opportunities were not taken.

Despite City's early dominance the hosts went close first. A long ball over the top by Matthew Thomas was missed by Sam Hall and fell into the path of Jack Tomlinson who drove forward before striking from 20 yards out but over the bar.

City responded down the left after Archie Muirhead was sent clear by Callum Debar who drove into the box before crossing along the ground, Bailey Fuller couldn't get on the end of the cross but managed to get to the ball and pulled it back towards Muirhead and Reiss Taylor-Randle but the pass was intercepted by Stone keeper Andrew Walklate who parried the ball forward, Taylor-Randle won the ball before laying off to an incoming Callum Smith who hit a thunderous drive from just inside the box but defender Ryan Goodwin got a head on the ball on the line which was deflected off the bar and out for a corner.

On 38 minutes Stone took the lead. After City were caught offside Ryan Goodwin played a long ball forward from 10 yards inside the Stone half, Jack Tomlinson leapt highest flicking onto Sam Wilson who was clear in the box and cooly finished past Adam Harrison.

On 55 minutes, a long ball into the box from the half way line by Aaron Roberts was fumbled by the Stone keeper, Taylor-Randle's follow up shot was blocked but into the path of George Baker on the edge of the box on the left, he played into the centre of the pitch to Sam Whitton who played a superb chip straight back into the path of Baker who only had the keeper to beat but he snapped at his shot which went wide of the post from seven yards out, when it looked easier to score.

City sent Fortune Maphosa and Jamie Douglas in place of George Baker and Callum Smith and Aaron Roberts moved up front in an attempt to force the issue but on 65 minutes City were dealt another blow which will affect the club for another three games. After another attack was cleared by the hosts Aaron Roberts reacted to words from Ryan Goodwin on the edge of the box and the players came together just as the referee turned to see what was going on, who then immediately produced a red card for Roberts.

The hosts had the next big opportunity after Jack Tomlinson was sent clear down the right but he pulled his shot wide of the post when in a great position.

City desperately tried to draw level in the remaining minutes but the efforts were more in hope than good build up play and Stone held on for the points.