GLOUCESTER CITY 1 BATH CITY 2

THE Tigers slumped to defeat in a match where their defensive skills were given another stern test.

Jack Pitcher put them ahead in the first half, but Bath came back strongly in a competitive encounter.

The Tigers were facing their toughest pre-season challenge so far.

And the defence, which had looked so wobbly on Saturday against Chasetown, looked stronger in the early stages.

Matty Sysum, putting in a much improved performance, headed the ball away from danger five minutes in.

Will Morford nearly bagged an early goal when he beat young keeper Will Puddy – on loan from Cheltenham Town – only to lose the ball to a Romans defender.

But the Tigers finally made the breakthrough through Pitcher. He outsmarted Puddy when he went to meet a long throw-in from Lee Marshall. Puddy flapped at the ball and Pitcher was on hand to head it home.

However, the visitors remained a threat and were back on level terms in the 27th minute when Danny Holdcroft left the goal open for Richard Evans to fire home.

Pitcher headed wide a Marshall free kick on 34 minutes as both sides battled to gain the upper hand.

But City fell behind early in the second half. Darren Edwards netted as Gloucester's defenders seemed to stand by and watch.

Bath fought strongly with Evans and Sekani Simpson outstanding on the wing, but Sysum and Marshall blocked their efforts. And number two keeper Holdcroft pulled off several saves that were matched by his counterpart in the Bath goal.

Gloucester's forwards, who had attacked well against Chasetown, struggled to get hold of the ball as the clock ticked down.

And tempers began to flare as Bath's Matt Coupe put in niggling challenges.

In the end, the Romans walked away with the bragging rights in the nearest match Gloucester will get to a local derby this season.

Gloucester City: Holdcroft, Ballinger, Marshall, Mustoe, Sysum, Rose, Smith, Palmer, Pitcher, Symons, Morford. Subs: Robinson (for Ballinger 55), Jones (for Palmer 63), Wixey (for Symons 58).

Bath City: Puddy, Jombati, Rollo, Coupe, Jones, Browning, Simpson, Badman, Edwards, Connolly, Evans. Subs: Hogg (for Badman 58), Cornwall (for Evans 68), Holland (for Connolly 71), Caldwell (for Browning 85).

Attendance: 142

Man of the match: Matty Sysum