BRACKLEY TOWN 2 GLOUCESTER CITY 3

A HARD-FOUGHT victory over Brackley Town put Gloucester City up to 18 games unbeaten – but it was far from an easy win.

Despite a smart goal by Mike Symons from a Neil Mustoe free-kick after a couple of minutes, the Tigers were not always in the driving seat in a tense battle at St James' Park.

Gloucester started brightly and Symons in particular seemed more comfortable attacking the Brackley defence.

Matthew Rose went close to grabbing a second in the 19th minute from a cross saved by Tom Willshere.

Despite slight drama on the sidelines as one of the linesmen was replaced after injuring a calf, the City fans were buoyant as their team pushed forward.

Will Morford and Lee Smith were strong again in the midfield, bolstered by clever balls from Matty Sysum and Marc Richards.

Smith's pace helped bring about the second goal as he skilfully moved past Willshere as the keeper approached.

With the goal unattended, a slick cross was met by Morford, who helped push the ball into the net, with assistance from Brackley's David Perpetuni.

It was announced as a goal for Morford but later reported as an own goal.

With a 2-0 lead after 25 minutes, the Tigers might have appeared to be cruising, especially with Willshere finding it increasingly tough after picking up a back injury.

But two mistakes in quick succession saw Brackley fight their way back into contention.

Ben Mackey got the first goal back after fumbling the ball past Kev Sawyer on 36 minutes.

Then a rare mistake from Sysum saw him miss his chance to tackle Tom Winters.

Winters, with a one-on-one chance against Sawyer, slickly put the home side level.

Gloucester seemed to lose their shape towards the end of the half as tempers flared between Wayne Blossom and Morford, and the home side fought back.

Willshere's injury was bad enough to stop him playing after half-time, and Brackley put centre-half Blossom, one of their shortest players, in goal.

City swapped Luke Ballinger, who had been quiet, for Lee Marshall.

Brackley started the second half with renewed energy. Winters was proving a handful and substitute Danny Spencer showed speed and skill.

Gloucester had the early possession with Smith and Morford feeding more balls through to Symons, whose frustration at heading the ball over could be heard across the pitch.

Sawyer's quick reactions were needed to stop a Brackley attempt 15 minutes after the break.

Jack Pitcher, on for Symons on 50 minutes, was keen to get straight into the game, but all too often the ball bounced high to leave both sides to fight out a battle of headers and volleys.

Blossom was putting in a commendable performance in the Brackley goal.

Sensing the need for pace, Dave Mehew sent on Dean Grubb for Jack Harris.

Again Grubb and Smith swapped between the wings, speeding the game up and breaking down strong attacks from Josh Green and Spencer.

Towards the end of the match Gloucester fought back harder and it was a matter of when, not if, they would win it.

A Grubb cross was met by Smith, who sliced it in before running to the City fans to celebrate.

Rose's attempt at a cheeky chip over Blossom to make it four was somehow tipped out as City ended the game on a high.

Gloucester remain in second place, two points behind Farnborough Town, ahead of tonight's clash at Cambridge.

Brackley: Willshere (Spencer 45), Cowley, Perpetuini, Blossom, Farley, Green, Brady, Hadland, Sandy, Mackey, Winters. Sub not used: Fontenelle.

Gloucester City: Sawyer, Ballinger (Marshall 45), Sysum, Mustoe, Richards, Rose, Smith, Webb, Morford, Symons (Pitcher), J Harris (Grubb). Subs not used: Sykes, A Harris.

Star Man: Matthew Rose

Attendance: 307