GLOUCESTER CITY 0 NORTHWICH VICTORIA 1

RED cards for captain Tom Webb and defender Neil Mustoe saw nine-man Tigers team fall to 10-man Northwich Victoria, writes Jenni Silver.

Gloucester should have sealed the game with a goal from Jack Pitcher before half-time but lost out to a late free-kick from Junior Brown.

Both sides will rue missed chances and poor shots in what could have been a game of goals.

With the Vics looking for a change in fortunes, manager Andy Preece fielded a much-changed side against a Gloucester side who had seen off Gainsborough and Eastwood in successive matches.

The shake-up worked and the visitors looked the stronger side for much of the first half, with the towering Matthew Bailey proving a handful for City's Tom Hamblin.

Simon Grand caused an early scare when his headed shot from a Junior Brown free-kick flew just past the post when Mike Green had failed to stop it.

Another free-kick on 12 minutes, this time taken by Lee Elam, found Mark Danks but his shot was saved.

Gloucester lacked the spark from previous matches and struggled to contain the Vics, who played a tighter, faster game.

Mustoe saved the Tigers on 15 minutes, kicking out another shot from Danks.

Referee Sarah Garratt sent off Jamie Vermiglio on 42 minutes after a second bookable offence as his running battle with Webb came to a head.

Pitcher missed the chance of the season on 45 minutes, shooting wide when Vics keeper James Spencer was on his knees and Pitcher appeared to be clear on goal as the first half ended 0-0.

Pitcher continued to show pace in the second half with a shot saved on 48 minutes, and Lee Smith went close moments later.

Garratt was card-happy, booking Marshall, Smith and Nay Kerr for separate incidents.

Webb was shown red on 77 minutes for a second booking as the constant free-kicks disrupted the flow of the game.

Smith's run on 82 looked like City's chance to score but Spencer pulled off a showstopping save to keep it all square.

Gloucester went down to nine men on 84 minutes when Mustoe scythed down Danks.

Moments later the Vics went ahead with another Junior Brown free-kick, which proved the winner.

Gloucester City: Green, Mustoe (RC 87), Marshall, Richards, Hamblin (Baldwin 87), Rose, Smith, Webb (RC 77) Pitcher (Morford 62), Symons, J Harris. Subs: Palmer, Mohan, James

Northwich Victoria: Spencer, Clarke, Brown, Kerr, Grand, Vermiglio (RC 42), D'Laryea, Horrocks (Herriing 46), Danks (Riley 89), Bailey, Elam. Subs: Burns, Brown, Meadowcroft

Attendance: 316

Referee: Sarah Garratt (Halesowen)

Star man: Marc Richards