Lancaster City 2, Bangor City 2

TELEVISION cameras and the FA Cup are on their way to Giant Axe on Friday when the Dolly Blues face Manchester City.

SkySports.com TV are to send a cameraman to the match and Joe Royle's new signing, former world player of the year George Weah, could even make a shock debut (but don't bet on it).

As boss Tony Hesketh said: "It would be nice if he did play, but even if he doesn't, they are all going to be strong players from a Premiership club."

And a City spokesperson confirmed: "We will be bringing a largely reserve team, as the first team is playing in a testimonial at Stockport the following day."

But the world's most famous trophy will definitely be on show, as FA cup sponsors AXA bring the old silver cup to the Giant Axe.

Hopefully Lancaster will be able to raise their game for this occasion after their indifferent start to pre-season.

So far careless mistakes have cost them dearly, and this cost the Dolly Blues again in their encounter with the men from the Welsh league.

Still, this was a good pre-season result against a strong Bangor City line-up.

Lancaster took an early lead when they struck goal in the 9th minute. Jimmy Graham whipped a corner to the back post, Lee Clitheroe headed the ball back across goal and the ball broke loose off a defender to Preston based trialist Andrew Taylor who lashed the ball into the bottom corner.

Brian Butler and Chris Ward came close to doubling City's lead but then Bangor equalised with a controversial goal.

City's defence and Bangor striker Carl Owen stopped when a through ball caught Owen well offside.

But to the Welsh frontman's astonishment, the assistant referee's flag wasn't up, leaving him one-on-one to slot the ball past Sharrock.

Lancaster were all over Bangor in the second half and took the lead again in the 74th minute following an inspired substitution.

Mark Cheal had just been brought on the pitch when he made a surging run down the right wing, ending with a fine cross to the incoming Kevin Barnes, who was able to sidefoot the ball into the net.

However, a sloppy mistake meant City's lead lasted for less than a minute.

A long through ball from the centre exposed City's defence and Phil Johnson got two attempts to put the ball away.

Lancaster's next match is the clash with Manchester City on Friday, kick-off 7.30pm. Tickets for this match are available on 01524 382238.

Team: Sharrock, Sparrow, Graham, Kilbane, Horner, Fowler, L. Clitheroe, Butler, Ward, Taylor, S. Clitheroe, Barnes, Bowyer, Storey, Cheal, Crompton, Jessop, Johnston, Martin.