Testimony of City's performance in the 2-2 draw with league leaders Rushall Olympic was the post-match comment of the visiting manager who said his team had just played their toughest game of the season.

From first whistle to last, every played their parts in contributing to a display that was hard-working, committed, confident and fully deserving of at least a point against a side that had won six out of their previous seven matches.

City settled quickly into a new formation and pressed their opponents well in the opening exchanges which were very even - the closest opportunity coming as a clearance cannoned back off a Rushall attacker only for the ball to roll past the post.

However for all their early endeavours, the home side were undone when they allowed one of their opponents to skip along the byline and cross perfectly for his team-mate to slot home. And they were nearly caught out moments later when a crossfield pass led to a shot that City keeper Josh Reed-Jones blocked with his legs.

Composure regained, City advanced to the other end to claim an equaliser. It followed a Jamie Hill free-kick from 25 yards out that looked to be heading for the bottom corner only for the Rushall keeper to brilliantly push round the post. From the resulting corner though, centre-back Will Sankey prodded the ball in from close range at the second attempt to equalise.

Sticking well to their gameplan, the home side took the lead in the second quarter when the referee played a good advantage in the middle of the pitch. Debutant David Ferreira crossed the ball which eventually fell at the feet of Archie Thurston who crashed it home.

Reed-Jones then made an outstanding save low to his right to keep out a Rushall free-kick and maintain his side's lead going into Q3.

The visitors continued to threaten and they looked certain to score but, after Reed-Jones was rounded, the ball rolled out of play. But whilst they were unlucky on that occasion, they were very fortuitous on their next attack when a shot was blocked but fell kindly to their player who stroked home.

The match was still for the taking in Q4 with both sides having chances from headers - Jesse Asomugha nodding narrowly wide for City from a free-kick and Rushall putting the ball over the angle from a second cross that followed a corner.

The hosts' last chance fell to Asomugha, who got a good connection on a high ball but volleyed over. Rushall then pushed for a late winner in the closing minutes but City kept their nerve and held firm - Reed-Jones appearing to get his fingertips to virtually the last kick of the game to keep matters even.