Town were forced into one change. Darren Barnard, who rushed back for the game from the Welsh setup, failed a late fitness test. Greg Young took his place at leftback. Mike Edwards stepped up to the bench.
Bristol started the game with intent and after just 30 seconds one time Town target Lee Peacock fired just wide of Davison's goal after Anderson and Ford got in each others way.
The super fast Aaron Brown then steamed inside from the left wing after Lee Miller's neat through ball. Davison dashed out and did enough to force the youngster to fide wide.
Town then settled for a few minutes, yet just when the looked comfortable - they crumbled. Crane's crossfield ball was controlled by Young, who then got the ball caught between his feet. Wilkshire nipped in and only Crane's clearance for a corner spared Young's blushes.....if only for a the time being. The corner came in, Ford was caught watching, god knows what he was watching, allowing Miller to trot up and head the ball past Davison. 3 chances, 0-1. And only 10 minutes gone. Oh poopy.
The goal did actually kick Town into life though. Anderson and Campbell worked the flanks well and Rankin looked more than promising up front. The loanee was a genuine threat with his pace and twisty turns. It was such giggling about that brought a penalty appeal, a bloody good one at that. Rankin skinned Louis Carey inside out before skipping past him. Carey the proceeded to bring him down. A stonewall penalty, but referee Jones waved playon...one of those games is it?
By now Coldicott had got his 'yard dog' grip on the game. The highly rated Tommy Doherty was a mere shadow in Stace's presence. It seems the 10 month break has also added a more creative side to Coldicott's game, gone are the sidewards 4 yard passes, instead the passes are more attacking, direct and most of all have a purpose. One can't help think that the combination of Daws and Coldicott is somewhat too defensive though, away from home I can see us sticking in our own half far too long.
Campbell is countering this defensive pairing though. The stand in skipper is looking at his best. He's found an extra two yards to his play and now is playing how we know he can.
Just before the half-hour Rankin was given licensce to run at Matt Hill, again he jinked and jived. Hill, however pulled of a good tackle to concede a corner. The fans appealed with half-hearted enthusiasm for a penalty. Amazingly Mr Jones pointed to the spot. Up stepped Anderson and slammed the ball into the net past Steve Phillips. 1-1. Now whilst Hill was very harshly adjudged to have fouled Rankin, the letter of the law states he should be sent off.....not even booked.
Both sides plodded out the rest of the first half with both teams having equal share to the spoils at half-time.
Town, in traditional manner, started the second half in static mode. Again Wilkshire was given the freedom of Cleethorpes to pick out Peacock in the box, the former Man City striker stretched but was unable to make convinving contact to give his side the lead.
Town's response was to see two players leave through injury and fatigue. On 53 minutes Coldicott trudged off with Disco Des Hamilton coming on. A minute later Anderson picked up what looked a groin strain and struggled to make it off the pitch, he was replaced by Phil Jevons - who rather disappointingly had to make to with a place on the wing. This whilst Darren Mansaram remained up front despite doing bugger all.
Not long after the changes Peacock put the ball in the net, luckily it was ruled offside. Dunno why, like.
On several occasions Town strung together a series of nice, neat and clever passes to go from one box to the other. The final product was missing though, not helped with effectively Rankin was a lone striker.
Phillips' long hoof caused Town hearts to flutter. Miller capitalised on Ford's hesitancy before skinning him. With Davison stranded and confused the former Falkirk man lifted the ball over him delightfully only to see his effort bounce back off the crossbar. Had it gone in questions would obviously have been asked about Ford's defending, but the goal itself would have been labelled a wonder strike.
City had now the game in their hands. Davison was kept on his toes with point blank saves from Hill's header and Peacock's bundle of sorts, both from corners.
With five minutes to go Mansaram was replaced by David Soames. Straight away Digger did everything Mansaram didn't. Straight away his tenacity resulted in a left sided break. Young layed inside for Campbell who picked his spot with perfection, only for Phillips to fingertip the ball onto the post.
Soames then controlled a loose ball, shrugged off Miller's challenge before bombing down the left wing. With two much bigger defenders in front of him, his chances looked limited. With no sign of fear he dashed past one bnfore shrugging the others challenge aside. When the third defender came across he cut back for Daws, who in turn found Jevons in space on the right hand side. Jevvo controlled well and attempted a lob with the outside of his boot, it was only inches away from embarassing Phillips.
Up at the other end and Hamilton made a fine tackle on Brown, neither the Bristol players or fans appealed for a free-kick. They got one though. Hamilton was also booked for the 'foul'.
The free-kick was curled in. Midget striker Leroy Lita's attempt at a overhead kick saw him nearly take 6'5 Tony Crane's head off, dangerous play? Noooo, carry on. The ball fell to Brown and he scuffled it in. Buggery. 1-2 after 88 minutes.
Just after the goal Jason Crowe limped off and Town were reduced to 10 men having used all their subs. Nicky Daws filled in at rightback as Town went 4-3-2 but the game was already lost, right at the death.
Town looks so much better than just over a week ago. Back is the fight in the play, back is the football on the bleeding floor. So far, the long aimless hoofs are gone, HURRAY. Graham Rodger remains silent on his job chances and has straight out refused to discuss them. He could increase his chances with two simple changes. 1) Edwards for Ford. Mike Edwards is a class defender and he calms those around him down, Simon Ford is nervous, shaky and to be quite frank a liability. 2) Jevons for Mansaram. Flash is a good prospect, but that's it. Jevons is a dangerous attacker. Rankin is crying out for someone with the intellegence to play him behind defences, Mansaram is failing to do that. Jevons can.
Man of the Match - Stuart Campbell. Led like a captain with his battling, running and general all round play. Only thing missing from his game is the goals, he needs one NOW.