Lancaster City 2 Frickley Athletic 0THE fans were given a nice surprise when Neil Morton ran out as City's new number nine on Saturday.

Morton, 30, who signed for an undisclosed four figure sum from rivals Shrimps, performed well and his signing bodes well for the future for city.

At least one fan was overjoyed at the news. "This was brilliant signing for us," said fan for more than 60 years, Billy Heron, "he was very unlucky not to score."

Goals from captain Phil Horner and Kenny Mayers kept City safe while their defence had yet another stunning game, keeping their third clean sheet in a row.

City started the game off well and took the initiative and the lead in the 28th minute. Jimmy Graham's cross was flicked on to Phil Horner who powered through a clump of defenders to head the ball in the back of the net.

Just three minutes later and it was two when Kenny Mayers got a spectacular goal, rifling his shot across the goalkeeper from 20 yards out and into the left side of the net.

In the 35th minute, the game turned sour when City earned their first booking of the season, and it so easily could have been a sending off. John Kennedy foolishly threw the ball at Scott Armstrong's head. Armstrong ran over to Kennedy and headbutted him. Somehow, both players escaped with just yellow cards.

The 40th minute saw Kennedy in trouble again when he ran 50 yards to argue with a linesman complaining he had been fouled. The argument flared up so the linesman called over the referee who had a word with Kennedy. Manager Tony Hesketh subbed Kennedy shortly afterwards.

The second half looked similar to the first, City looking like the team most likely to score again with Ward, Haddow, Sugden, Sharrott and Morton all having good chances.

Team: Thornley, Kilbane, Graham, Udall, Horner (c), Mayers, Trainor, Haddow, Morton, Ward (Sharrott 73), Kennedy (Sugden 40).

Att: 213

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