IT WAS heavy going for City at the Axe on Tuesday though they eventually managed to pip Colwyn Bay.

Bryan Welch's late half-volley was enough for the Blues but a nasty challenge on Colin Potts saw him stretchered off with an ankle injury.

The awards were presented beforehand as Jimmy Graham, making his 200th appearance, received a memento. Meanwhile, the club gratefully accepted their team of the month award for March.

Much like Saturday's National, there were more spills than thrills, and less brain than brawn. It was a combative contest with the visitors determined to restrict City's passing game but skill proved the deciding factor.

Both Haddow and Martin, in centre-midfield, galloped until the finishing post. Twice Haddow almost opened the scoring. First he headed Graham's free-kick onto the outside of the post.

He then combined with Welch to release Clitheroe. The winger was blocked but Haddow was in support, knocking just past the post.

Next Martin pressed forward, exchanging passes with Potts before crossing into the box. It fell kindly for Welch but his shot across goal flew narrowly wide.

As Colwyn Bay threatened, the Blues backline did well to clear twice before McIlvogue headed narrowly wide.

As the finish approached, legs tired, causing numerous slips. Welch and Clitheroe might have done better on the break while Sharrock did superbly, twice blocking from Limbert after Clitheroe then Mayers had gifted him possession.

A few unsavoury tackles went in but Welch's strike, from the edge of the box, on 82 minutes, looked to have eased matters. Unfortunately, Limbert lunged recklessly at Potts, for which he was only booked. Tony Hesketh said later, "It was a poor tackle which deserved a red card. Pottsy's season is now almost certainly over."

Potts may yet recover for the finals, at Chorley on April 24 and at the Axe on May 1, and it seems only right he should since he has been instrumental in City's recent success.

Naturally, we wish him well.

Team: Sharrock; Rigby, Sparrow, Mayers (c), Graham; Potts (Love), Haddow, Martin, L. Clitheroe; Brown, Welch. Unused subs: Cheal, S. Clitheroe.

Torrential rain put paid to City's weekend action. The game at Giant Axe against Hucknall Town will now be played tonight (Thursday), kick off 7.30pm, fitted in to an end of season City schedule which now looks almost as busy as that of Morecambe.