NPower League Two
Cheltenham (0) 0
Bradford C (0) 0
Att: 5,888
City face Burton in Playoffs.
Aldershot and Barnet relegated.
Gillingham, Rotherham and Port Vale promoted.
Read this article online
http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/46810838356/
CFML Daily News
http://paper.li/f-1315926867
Current table
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/tables/cc_league2.html
Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10266,00.html
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/clubhouse?teamId=387&lang=EN
The "Social media Corner"
http://paper.li/f-1315926867
http://www.bradfordcity.tv/
Official Mobile app
http://communicatoremail.com/IN/Y2tx0dX-0UIRu4P1_588C9Eehl64XmQ-JA8WroOSpEQ/WebView.aspx
===========================
The run in to seventh place
Burton games
4/13: H-PlyA W1-0
4/20: A-BraC L0-1
4/27: H-Gill W3-2
Northampton
4/13: H-YorC L0-2
4/16: A-WycW D0-0
4/20: A-PorV D2-2
4/27: H-Barn W2-0
Cheltenham
4/13: H-Gill W1-0
4/20: A-ExeC W1-0
4/27: H-BraC D0-0
Rotherham
4/13: H-FleT W2-1
4/16: A-BraC W2-0
4/20: A-PlyA W1-0
4/27: H-AldT W2-0
Exeter
4/13: A-AFCW D2-2
4/20: H-CheT L0-1
4/27: A-Ches L0-4
===========================
Signings, Loans and Injuries
Injuries
Luke Oliver, Achillies, out for the 2012/13 season
Kyle Reid, groin, back in training
Davies suspended for 1st playoff game
===========================
Match Media & Stats
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10384560.Live_blog__Cheltenham_v_Bantams/
Head to Head
http://www.11v11.com/teams/bradford-city/tab/opposingTeams
http://www.statto.com/football/teams/bradford-city/
Pictures
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sport_bantams_pics2012/
(The T&A picture link will dfault to the last match for which pictures are available)
"Last Match" Highlights on Bantams Player
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/player/LastMatch/0,,10266~1612005~36,00.html
BBC highlights (uk only)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22228933
Pulse audio
http://www.pulse.co.uk/on-air/pulse-sport/
Match Highlights
http://mm.gmstatic.net.s3.amazonaws.com/74/687770.mp3
Match stats
http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=234#teamTabs=results
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/gamecast?gameId=345518&action=stats&lang=EN&wjb=
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22228933
===========================
Final whistle - match report
Report by Simon Parker (T&A)
Andrew Davies will miss City's play-off semi-final first leg on Thursday
after a costly red card at Cheltenham.
The centre half was recalled as one of eight changes made by Phil Parkinson.
But it backfired when he was dismissed after an hour for a second bookable
offence.
The Robins had to win to keep alive their outside chance of automatic
promotion but found no way through on a poor, bobbly pitch.
Marlon Pack went closest with a header against the post. Matt Duke, in his
first appearance since March 16, also denied the midfielder's free-kick.
City, who gave both James Hanson and Nahki Wells a rest, almost scored with
ten men when Nathan Doyle volleyed inches wide. But home keeper Scott Brown
did not have a save to make.
===========================
From the Official BCFC Website:
PLANS CHANGED FOR BURTON AWAY TICKETS
The football club can confirm that there will be a change of plans in
regards to selling tickets for the second (away) leg of City's League 2
Play-Off Semi-Final with Burton Albion.
The limited number of tickets available will now go on sale to Season Ticket
and FlexiCard holders on a 1:1 basis on Saturday 4 May 2013 from 8:00am.
The Bantams Ticket Office will remain open on Saturday while stocks of the
Burton Albion tickets last.
The 1:1 selling ratio means that supporters can buy one Burton away ticket
for every 2012/13 Season Ticket or FlexiCard in their possession, for
example, someone with four Season Tickets and two FlexiCards in their
possession at the Bantams Ticket Office can buy six tickets for the Burton
away game.
As previously announced, there can be no internet offer for the away tickets
for this game.
In addition, there can be no telephone sales as Burton Albion cannot offer a
ticket collection service for large numbers of supporters.
City's Director of Operations, David Baldwin said: "This is a football
decision - the idea of selling tickets after the game ticks all the boxes
with regard to safety and reducing inconvenience to fans, however, the
prospect of fans potentially leaving the stadium during a crucial part of
such an important game is something we would not want to see.
"We hope that this decision will enable all Bradford City fans to get behind
the team from the first minute to the last".
The decision to issue tickets after the first leg was taken to make best use
of match-day security and Ticket Office staff who will be working at
Thursday's match and, more importantly, to try and avoid fans having to take
time off work or from school on a week day to try and get a ticket.
Originally Saturday selling had been avoided because fans will have the
problem of booking travel arrangements for a 12 noon kick off on the next
day or cancelling travel arrangements if they don't get a ticket.
However, feedback suggests that fans would sooner have this problem than
waiting to obtain tickets for the match late on Thursday night.
With the building work that is happening close to stadium, queues for the
away tickets will be through gate WH of the Co-operative Main (West)
Stand. The Ticket Office will be closed on Friday 3 May.
===========================
Davies in Bradford City dog house after red card
8:10am Monday 29th April 2013
By Simon Parker
Steve Parkin accused Andrew Davies of letting City down with the red card that rules him out of their play-off opener.
The centre half played in Saturday's goalless draw at Cheltenham to prove he had recovered from his calf injury.
But he was sent off after an hour for a second booking after pulling back winger Jermaine McGlashan and will now be banned for the home semi-
final against Burton on Thursday.
Davies was yellow-carded by referee Andy D'Urso in the first half and had been warned by Phil Parkinson during the break to steer clear of any
further trouble.
Assistant Parkin defended the decision not to take the defender off at that stage. He said: "Andrew's an experienced player, he's 28 now. We
explained to him to use his head and not get involved in anything.
"He's been in need of a full match, having had the best part of a week off, and we were desperate to give Rory McArdle a breather. He's had a
tremendous season but needed some time off.
"Andrew was walking a tightrope but we told him to be whiter than white; just defend properly – and unfortunately he didn't do that."
The Davies dismissal soured an otherwise satisfying end to the regular campaign. Despite making eight changes, City foiled Cheltenham's hopes of
snatching automatic promotion in a dour encounter.
Parkin said: "The players have got to take a lot of credit. The feeling was that we weren't weakening the side with all the changes.
"They have been terrific over the past five or six weeks in terms of their attitude and motivation around the building even though they've not
been in the team."
Parkin felt City's performance also silenced veiled criticism from Rotherham boss Steve Evans, who had questioned their motives for planning so
many changes.
He said: "We completely answered it. We don't ever have to question our integrity and the way that we do things.
"We're very professional and we picked a team to win the game. No disrespect to Cheltenham but I think if we'd had 11 men on the pitch we might
have done that."
Burton's win over champions Gillingham ensured they will renew rivalries with City once more. The sides have already played three times and the
Brewers lost at Valley Parade only nine days ago.
Parkin said: "Both teams will be glad they played each other so recently because they know each other well.
"Burton are there on merit. We know they have some dangerous players and good goal-scorers.
"It's really important that people don't get carried away thinking and talking about Wembley. We've seen that happen so many times and then you
come a cropper.
"I can assure you that we're looking no further than Thursday and then the second game on Sunday. That is our focus.
"It's now, hopefully, a three-game season and it's important we are completely focused. The players were back in yesterday and nobody is resting
on their laurels."
City are optimistic that Kyel Reid could be clear to resume training today following his groin strain.
===========================
Brewers announce special play-off kit
http://www.burtonalbionfc.co.uk/news/article/shirt-793729.aspx
Gary Jones named in team of the year
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10385434.Bradford_City_skipper_named_in_team_of_the_year/
===========================
Three games stand between Bradford City and escape hatch
6:20am Monday 29th April 2013
By Simon Parker
Cheltenham 0, City 0
So that's 276 games gone and – hopefully – only three to go before City's six-year stretch in the Football League's basement could be over.
Like an inmate chalking off the days on his cell wall, confinement in League Two has seemed never ending since they were sentenced to the drop in
2007.
But at last, at long, long last, there is a chink of light amid the darkness. At last, there is genuine belief that this could all soon be over.
As City embark on their first play-off mission in 17 years, they have finally discovered an escape route. Now it is all about holding the
collective nerve and forcing their way free.
There is plenty of play-off experience among the bunch, even if it has all been acquired elsewhere. Nobody can question the hunger for battle
within Phil Parkinson's troops.
Nor can fingers be pointed at their integrity – the word that Steve Evans raised in the pre-match build-up on Saturday which drew so many wry
smiles among the Bantam ranks.
Even as his own Rotherham side prepared to clinch promotion, Valley Parade's 'favourite' opposition manager could not resist the opportunity to
chip in on City's selection policy.
The mass changes Parkinson planned at Whaddon Road, Evans claimed, were putting the whole competition in a poor light, given that Cheltenham were
the only side who could pip the Millers for third.
Indeed, Parkinson did sweep the board with eight new faces in all. But they were new only in terms of not having played the previous few weeks –
there were no fresh-faced novices being given a day in the sun here.
Ricky Ravenhill, one of the three to stay in along with Michael Nelson and the irreplaceable Stephen Darby, gave the Rotherham remarks short
shrift.
"It's all just for show," said City's skipper for the day. "He's trying to make his point and be the big man in the paper again.
"We'll do what we need to do. We're not worried what other people have to say about us.
"We put a good team out. The gaffer rested a few but it was still a strong side – and that shows what a good squad we've got.
"We've not got a massive group of players, so you never know what's going to happen. Everyone's going to be needed.
"A lot of those players have been out of the team a while and have come in and done well. We all put a shift in.
A full-strength Cheltenham side would not argue with that after failing to break them down in a forgettable match.
The Robins had most of the play as expected but barely troubled Matt Duke on his return to goal for the first time since that afternoon at Exeter
when we all thought the play-off dream was up.
He made one punching save from Marlon Pack's free-kick and saw another header from the midfielder cannon off the post. But otherwise, once Steve
Elliott and Kaid Mohamed had squandered early opportunities, Cheltenham had little in the locker.
Even playing the final half hour with a man down, City were never unduly stretched. And once news filtered through that Rotherham were in command
of Aldershot, any intensity in the home approach rapidly dissolved.
This was a nuisance game for the Bantams, hence the team sheet, but it would have passed off perfectly had Andrew Davies not lost his head.
The centre half has cleaned up his act considerably after last season's three red cards. But he blotted a perfect copybook on the final day – and
will pay the punishment by watching Thursday's first semi-final joust with Burton from the Valley Parade stand.
Davies had an understandable beef with Andy D'Urso's first yellow card after 37 minutes. His lunge on Mohamed was a powerful one but it looked
fair and he appeared to make contact with the ball.
D'Urso initially seemed to agree but was called over by his assistant as Cheltenham howled for retribution and then got his book out.
It would have been easy for City to take off the centre half at the break; in hindsight, it's a no-brainer.
But they were keen to test his match fitness. The plan was always to put Davies through a full 90 minutes and see how his troublesome calf coped.
It was better for any reaction to be spotted in a meaningless game than it to go during Thursday's showdown.
So Davies was told to cool it and not tempt D'Urso's trigger finger with anything out of the ordinary.
But the halo slipped just before the hour when he pulled Jermaine McGlashan to the floor. This time there could be no complaints about the
legitimacy of the card.
It meant Rory McArdle's much-needed breather was over – and so was the afternoon for the unfortunate Alan Connell.
In truth, Connell and Andy Gray had got very little change up front. The poor pitch and conditions would have been more suited to the rampaging
James Hanson and Nahki Wells to pick up on any unconvincing bounce.
But they were safely tucked up in the dugout with very little managerial intention of moving them otherwise. Bigger, genuine battles lay ahead.
Home keeper Scott Brown did not have a save to make. The closest City came was a Nathan Doyle volley that whistled inches wide after intricate
set-up work from Zavon Hines.
Carl McHugh, an admirable deputy for James Meredith at left back, then almost capped off a satisfying display keeping McGlashan in check with a
diving header that was charged down in a sea of boots.
But the final scoreline meant little other than confirming that City will enter this week's shoot-out in good spirits and strong form.
Just two defeats since Wembley is a remarkable statistic; if they can negotiate their way back there without another one would be more remarkable
still.
Attendance: 5,888
===========================
Cheltenham (0) 0
Bradford C (0) 0
Att: 5,888
City face Burton in Playoffs.
Aldershot and Barnet relegated.
Gillingham, Rotherham and Port Vale promoted.
Read this article online
http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/46810838356/
CFML Daily News
http://paper.li/f-1315926867
Current table
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/tables/cc_league2.html
Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10266,00.html
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/clubhouse?teamId=387&lang=EN
The "Social media Corner"
http://paper.li/f-1315926867
http://www.bradfordcity.tv/
Official Mobile app
http://communicatoremail.com/IN/Y2tx0dX-0UIRu4P1_588C9Eehl64XmQ-JA8WroOSpEQ/WebView.aspx
===========================
The run in to seventh place
Burton games
4/13: H-PlyA W1-0
4/20: A-BraC L0-1
4/27: H-Gill W3-2
Northampton
4/13: H-YorC L0-2
4/16: A-WycW D0-0
4/20: A-PorV D2-2
4/27: H-Barn W2-0
Cheltenham
4/13: H-Gill W1-0
4/20: A-ExeC W1-0
4/27: H-BraC D0-0
Rotherham
4/13: H-FleT W2-1
4/16: A-BraC W2-0
4/20: A-PlyA W1-0
4/27: H-AldT W2-0
Exeter
4/13: A-AFCW D2-2
4/20: H-CheT L0-1
4/27: A-Ches L0-4
===========================
Signings, Loans and Injuries
Injuries
Luke Oliver, Achillies, out for the 2012/13 season
Kyle Reid, groin, back in training
Davies suspended for 1st playoff game
===========================
Match Media & Stats
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10384560.Live_blog__Cheltenham_v_Bantams/
Head to Head
http://www.11v11.com/teams/bradford-city/tab/opposingTeams
http://www.statto.com/football/teams/bradford-city/
Pictures
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sport_bantams_pics2012/
(The T&A picture link will dfault to the last match for which pictures are available)
"Last Match" Highlights on Bantams Player
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/player/LastMatch/0,,10266~1612005~36,00.html
BBC highlights (uk only)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22228933
Pulse audio
http://www.pulse.co.uk/on-air/pulse-sport/
Match Highlights
http://mm.gmstatic.net.s3.amazonaws.com/74/687770.mp3
Match stats
http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=234#teamTabs=results
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/gamecast?gameId=345518&action=stats&lang=EN&wjb=
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22228933
===========================
Final whistle - match report
Report by Simon Parker (T&A)
Andrew Davies will miss City's play-off semi-final first leg on Thursday
after a costly red card at Cheltenham.
The centre half was recalled as one of eight changes made by Phil Parkinson.
But it backfired when he was dismissed after an hour for a second bookable
offence.
The Robins had to win to keep alive their outside chance of automatic
promotion but found no way through on a poor, bobbly pitch.
Marlon Pack went closest with a header against the post. Matt Duke, in his
first appearance since March 16, also denied the midfielder's free-kick.
City, who gave both James Hanson and Nahki Wells a rest, almost scored with
ten men when Nathan Doyle volleyed inches wide. But home keeper Scott Brown
did not have a save to make.
===========================
From the Official BCFC Website:
PLANS CHANGED FOR BURTON AWAY TICKETS
The football club can confirm that there will be a change of plans in
regards to selling tickets for the second (away) leg of City's League 2
Play-Off Semi-Final with Burton Albion.
The limited number of tickets available will now go on sale to Season Ticket
and FlexiCard holders on a 1:1 basis on Saturday 4 May 2013 from 8:00am.
The Bantams Ticket Office will remain open on Saturday while stocks of the
Burton Albion tickets last.
The 1:1 selling ratio means that supporters can buy one Burton away ticket
for every 2012/13 Season Ticket or FlexiCard in their possession, for
example, someone with four Season Tickets and two FlexiCards in their
possession at the Bantams Ticket Office can buy six tickets for the Burton
away game.
As previously announced, there can be no internet offer for the away tickets
for this game.
In addition, there can be no telephone sales as Burton Albion cannot offer a
ticket collection service for large numbers of supporters.
City's Director of Operations, David Baldwin said: "This is a football
decision - the idea of selling tickets after the game ticks all the boxes
with regard to safety and reducing inconvenience to fans, however, the
prospect of fans potentially leaving the stadium during a crucial part of
such an important game is something we would not want to see.
"We hope that this decision will enable all Bradford City fans to get behind
the team from the first minute to the last".
The decision to issue tickets after the first leg was taken to make best use
of match-day security and Ticket Office staff who will be working at
Thursday's match and, more importantly, to try and avoid fans having to take
time off work or from school on a week day to try and get a ticket.
Originally Saturday selling had been avoided because fans will have the
problem of booking travel arrangements for a 12 noon kick off on the next
day or cancelling travel arrangements if they don't get a ticket.
However, feedback suggests that fans would sooner have this problem than
waiting to obtain tickets for the match late on Thursday night.
With the building work that is happening close to stadium, queues for the
away tickets will be through gate WH of the Co-operative Main (West)
Stand. The Ticket Office will be closed on Friday 3 May.
===========================
Davies in Bradford City dog house after red card
8:10am Monday 29th April 2013
By Simon Parker
Steve Parkin accused Andrew Davies of letting City down with the red card that rules him out of their play-off opener.
The centre half played in Saturday's goalless draw at Cheltenham to prove he had recovered from his calf injury.
But he was sent off after an hour for a second booking after pulling back winger Jermaine McGlashan and will now be banned for the home semi-
final against Burton on Thursday.
Davies was yellow-carded by referee Andy D'Urso in the first half and had been warned by Phil Parkinson during the break to steer clear of any
further trouble.
Assistant Parkin defended the decision not to take the defender off at that stage. He said: "Andrew's an experienced player, he's 28 now. We
explained to him to use his head and not get involved in anything.
"He's been in need of a full match, having had the best part of a week off, and we were desperate to give Rory McArdle a breather. He's had a
tremendous season but needed some time off.
"Andrew was walking a tightrope but we told him to be whiter than white; just defend properly – and unfortunately he didn't do that."
The Davies dismissal soured an otherwise satisfying end to the regular campaign. Despite making eight changes, City foiled Cheltenham's hopes of
snatching automatic promotion in a dour encounter.
Parkin said: "The players have got to take a lot of credit. The feeling was that we weren't weakening the side with all the changes.
"They have been terrific over the past five or six weeks in terms of their attitude and motivation around the building even though they've not
been in the team."
Parkin felt City's performance also silenced veiled criticism from Rotherham boss Steve Evans, who had questioned their motives for planning so
many changes.
He said: "We completely answered it. We don't ever have to question our integrity and the way that we do things.
"We're very professional and we picked a team to win the game. No disrespect to Cheltenham but I think if we'd had 11 men on the pitch we might
have done that."
Burton's win over champions Gillingham ensured they will renew rivalries with City once more. The sides have already played three times and the
Brewers lost at Valley Parade only nine days ago.
Parkin said: "Both teams will be glad they played each other so recently because they know each other well.
"Burton are there on merit. We know they have some dangerous players and good goal-scorers.
"It's really important that people don't get carried away thinking and talking about Wembley. We've seen that happen so many times and then you
come a cropper.
"I can assure you that we're looking no further than Thursday and then the second game on Sunday. That is our focus.
"It's now, hopefully, a three-game season and it's important we are completely focused. The players were back in yesterday and nobody is resting
on their laurels."
City are optimistic that Kyel Reid could be clear to resume training today following his groin strain.
===========================
Brewers announce special play-off kit
http://www.burtonalbionfc.co.uk/news/article/shirt-793729.aspx
Gary Jones named in team of the year
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10385434.Bradford_City_skipper_named_in_team_of_the_year/
===========================
Three games stand between Bradford City and escape hatch
6:20am Monday 29th April 2013
By Simon Parker
Cheltenham 0, City 0
So that's 276 games gone and – hopefully – only three to go before City's six-year stretch in the Football League's basement could be over.
Like an inmate chalking off the days on his cell wall, confinement in League Two has seemed never ending since they were sentenced to the drop in
2007.
But at last, at long, long last, there is a chink of light amid the darkness. At last, there is genuine belief that this could all soon be over.
As City embark on their first play-off mission in 17 years, they have finally discovered an escape route. Now it is all about holding the
collective nerve and forcing their way free.
There is plenty of play-off experience among the bunch, even if it has all been acquired elsewhere. Nobody can question the hunger for battle
within Phil Parkinson's troops.
Nor can fingers be pointed at their integrity – the word that Steve Evans raised in the pre-match build-up on Saturday which drew so many wry
smiles among the Bantam ranks.
Even as his own Rotherham side prepared to clinch promotion, Valley Parade's 'favourite' opposition manager could not resist the opportunity to
chip in on City's selection policy.
The mass changes Parkinson planned at Whaddon Road, Evans claimed, were putting the whole competition in a poor light, given that Cheltenham were
the only side who could pip the Millers for third.
Indeed, Parkinson did sweep the board with eight new faces in all. But they were new only in terms of not having played the previous few weeks –
there were no fresh-faced novices being given a day in the sun here.
Ricky Ravenhill, one of the three to stay in along with Michael Nelson and the irreplaceable Stephen Darby, gave the Rotherham remarks short
shrift.
"It's all just for show," said City's skipper for the day. "He's trying to make his point and be the big man in the paper again.
"We'll do what we need to do. We're not worried what other people have to say about us.
"We put a good team out. The gaffer rested a few but it was still a strong side – and that shows what a good squad we've got.
"We've not got a massive group of players, so you never know what's going to happen. Everyone's going to be needed.
"A lot of those players have been out of the team a while and have come in and done well. We all put a shift in.
A full-strength Cheltenham side would not argue with that after failing to break them down in a forgettable match.
The Robins had most of the play as expected but barely troubled Matt Duke on his return to goal for the first time since that afternoon at Exeter
when we all thought the play-off dream was up.
He made one punching save from Marlon Pack's free-kick and saw another header from the midfielder cannon off the post. But otherwise, once Steve
Elliott and Kaid Mohamed had squandered early opportunities, Cheltenham had little in the locker.
Even playing the final half hour with a man down, City were never unduly stretched. And once news filtered through that Rotherham were in command
of Aldershot, any intensity in the home approach rapidly dissolved.
This was a nuisance game for the Bantams, hence the team sheet, but it would have passed off perfectly had Andrew Davies not lost his head.
The centre half has cleaned up his act considerably after last season's three red cards. But he blotted a perfect copybook on the final day – and
will pay the punishment by watching Thursday's first semi-final joust with Burton from the Valley Parade stand.
Davies had an understandable beef with Andy D'Urso's first yellow card after 37 minutes. His lunge on Mohamed was a powerful one but it looked
fair and he appeared to make contact with the ball.
D'Urso initially seemed to agree but was called over by his assistant as Cheltenham howled for retribution and then got his book out.
It would have been easy for City to take off the centre half at the break; in hindsight, it's a no-brainer.
But they were keen to test his match fitness. The plan was always to put Davies through a full 90 minutes and see how his troublesome calf coped.
It was better for any reaction to be spotted in a meaningless game than it to go during Thursday's showdown.
So Davies was told to cool it and not tempt D'Urso's trigger finger with anything out of the ordinary.
But the halo slipped just before the hour when he pulled Jermaine McGlashan to the floor. This time there could be no complaints about the
legitimacy of the card.
It meant Rory McArdle's much-needed breather was over – and so was the afternoon for the unfortunate Alan Connell.
In truth, Connell and Andy Gray had got very little change up front. The poor pitch and conditions would have been more suited to the rampaging
James Hanson and Nahki Wells to pick up on any unconvincing bounce.
But they were safely tucked up in the dugout with very little managerial intention of moving them otherwise. Bigger, genuine battles lay ahead.
Home keeper Scott Brown did not have a save to make. The closest City came was a Nathan Doyle volley that whistled inches wide after intricate
set-up work from Zavon Hines.
Carl McHugh, an admirable deputy for James Meredith at left back, then almost capped off a satisfying display keeping McGlashan in check with a
diving header that was charged down in a sea of boots.
But the final scoreline meant little other than confirming that City will enter this week's shoot-out in good spirits and strong form.
Just two defeats since Wembley is a remarkable statistic; if they can negotiate their way back there without another one would be more remarkable
still.
Attendance: 5,888
===========================
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