Tigers are punished for not converting chances
IF GLOUCESTER City's Blue Square North adventure ends in failure, it will be games like this that will have cost them dear..
Once again a failure from the Tigers' front men to turn possession and chances into goals prevented City from escaping Marston Road with at least a point and maybe more.
With Tom Webb not fit enough to take his place on the bench, City manager Dave Mehew kept faith with the same squad that comfortably disposed of Hyde at the Corinium Stadium last weekend.
However, the spark from their performance against the Manchester side had gone and City, despite their considerable huff and puff, once again failed to hit the target.
They got off to a terrible start when on eight minutes Jack Harris slipped under a cross and could only head in an unorthodox fashion to Jake Moult at the edge of the area who volleyed emphatically past Mike Green.
The goal buoyed Stafford, and with former Port Vale man Levi Reid and the dreadlocked Andre Francis prominent on the flanks, they forced a number of other opportunities.
First, Reid raced past Neil Mustoe but blazed high and wide with team-mates well positioned and then striker Ben Mills was inches from connecting from Francis' cross before eventually Gloucester managed to work themselves into the game.
James Palmer's low shot was well saved by Lee Evans in the 17th minute and then after a good run from Lee Smith, Stafford skipper Bobby Wilson was fortunate not to slice into his own net.
Smith had appeals for a penalty turned down and Symons profited from a Tom Hamblin knock-down from Smith's free kick in the dying moments of the half, but the City striker's shot was smothered by a defender and grabbed by a relieved Evans.
Evans would have been even more relieved in the eighth minute of the second half, when a floated cross from Sean Seavill bounced up nicely for Tom Hamblin, who somehow headed wide of the target from eight yards,
Stafford substitute Fabrice Kasiama could have made Gloucester pay a minute later, but his powerful left-footed shot hit the inside of the post and flew to safety across the goal line with Green stranded.
It took the introduction of Jack Pitcher from the bench to spark some life into Gloucester and it was from his 66th minute cross that Smith produced a superb save from Evans.
With Dave Mehew moving to three at the back and Gloucester throwing more men forward in search of an equaliser, Stafford, who were looking for their first clean sheet in nearly four months, managed to exploit the gaps left behind,
Neil Mustoe had to be alert to clear when Ben Mills had a glorious chance, Moult fired a thunderous 30-yard volley wide and twice Levi Reid fired inches wide of the goal as Stafford made use of the gaps at the back.
Mike Green even joined in with attacks as Gloucester searched, in vein, for an equaliser and their quest was made no easier when James Palmer was sent off for a second yellow card minutes from the end.
Stafford Rangers: L Evans: A Wooliscroft, B Wilson, E Udoji, R Vauls; A Francis, J Moult, T Thorley, L Reid, N Wellecombe (38 F Kasiama), B Mills. Subs not used: S Lycett, J Rogers, E Francis, A Lunn.
Gloucester City: M Green; N Mustoe, T Hamblin, M Richards, J Harris (67 A Sykes); S Seavill (56 L Marshall), J Palmer, M Rose, L Smith; W Morford (61 J Pitcher), M Symons. Subs not used: J Baldwin, A Harris.
Referee: S Durbin (Cheshire)
Att: 547
Star Man: Mike Symons
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