CITY vs. Havant & Waterlooville 

City went into this game knowing their situation was getting ever more desperate, and the relegation noose was tightening. Fans had an early shock, with goalkeeper Ryan Gannaway having returned from his 'break from the game' to re-appear between the sticks. Tom King can count himself unlucky, I don't know if Gannas return is actually a bonus for the side.

City also showed several changes with four new signings in the side, including Forest Green loan player Rob Cook, the elder statesman Gary Smart, the returning Will Steadman in at left-back, and Danny Hunt signed from Newport starting on the bench. 

City started brightly with Havant noticeably short of players and disjointed at the back. Problem was that City equally looked like they couldn't remember who was on who's side and the match looked as scrappy as a playground kick about.

It was City that looked the more promising side though, and while they rarely created clear chances they were enjoying more of the ball than Havant. Cook in particular looked lively, and he pushed forward well seeing the keeper recover well to save after he'd flapped at a Wyatt cross. A few minutes later another late Cook run almost saw him head in from a floated Wyatt free kick.

But the break through came from Havant, through the predictable source of the James Taylor - the division's top scorer. A good move down the right left Griffiths chasing shadows, and when the cross came in Gannas was on his own trying to stop Taylor's header. City poured forward looking for an equalizer, but despite Gordon looking pacey they couldn't breakthrough. Smart saw a long distance shot well saved, and a flurry of corners all met stubborn resistance from a tall Havant back line. 

The second half started worryingly for City, with both Taylor and substitute Wakefield going close. The first effort brought a good stop from Gannas, the second was scrambled away by Abbott. The excitement was entertaining even for the T-End as the visiting fans got increasingly tongue tied trying to chant their unwieldy club name. As City fans were beginning to slouch into despondency the equaliser arrived from debutant Cook. Another Wyatt cross came in from the right and Bayliss headed onto the woodwork, only for the in rushing Cook to slam home the rebound.  

The goal seemed to settle City. Former Almondsbury forward Dominic Gordon was making his home debut and impressed with his pace if not his touch. a crunching Wiggy block sent Gordon clear, and he was unlucky to see the keeper make a fine double save. Smart saw a tame free kick comfortably saved before Callinan put himself on to galvanise his troops further. City pushed forward and Tommy saw a lob almost catch out the keeper, but he again did well under an onslaught of City bodies. Wigg did bundle the ball into the net a few minutes later, but it was disallowed for a foul on the keeper.

So City again had to settle for a point against a side that didn't really impress, City still can't put away enough of their chances - although the visitor's keeper was in inspired form. At least some of the new players performed well and offer hope for the crucial trip to Crawley on Saturday, the Tigers must start winning soon or it's all over.