Stamford AFC 3 - 1 City

City boss Robbie Nightingale had to make changes to the starting line-up as Matty Miles and Daniel Akubuine were both injured. In came Ally Conway and Ben Bradley who started in a team that was looking to push on from the victory against Yaxley last Saturday.

It was the hosts who started on the front foot and Billy Bennett saw his free kick turned away by Joe Welch in the City goal.

As the match approached the six-minute mark, the deadlock was broken and it was Bennett who was on hand again but this time as the provider. His cross drifted towards the back post and Joe Burgess was on hand to convert the ball into the net.

To concede early against a team who are currently second in the table may have been a big test for a City side struggling for form. However, the Lilywhites were level no more than two minutes later. Taylor Parr latched onto a long clearance and beat home keeper Dan Wallis to the ball and headed home the equaliser.

Stamford then took the game to City and Ally Conway did well to block an effort from Bennett and Joe Welch got a hand on a separate chance from Harry Vince.

The hosts got back in front as the match reached the half hour mark. City were the architects of their own downfall as a wayward back pass was intercepted by Olly Brown-Hill who slotted the ball past Welch.

City started the second half in a positive fashion and Jake Battersby saw his effort well saved by Dan Wallis and Ed Rolph also drew the Stamford stopper in to a save. As City were looking to find a way back into the match, Nightingale introduced Tommy Rigby and Nathan Olukanmi for Simon Swinton and Ryan Ingrey.

However, any hopes that the increased possession that City had enjoyed during the second half would lead to an equaliser were extinguished when the hosts scored a decisive third goal. It came with 10 minutes of the contest left as Jake Duffy played in Connor Bartle who then picked out James Blunden who made no mistake to secure the points.

The defeat leaves City a place outside of the relegation play-off zone and will be looking to record a welcome victory when Loughborough Dynamo visit Bridge Road next Saturday.