Lancaster 1 Hyde Utd 4

HYDE United emphatically brought City's 17-game unbeaten run to an end at the Axe on Saturday.

City actually dominated but injury blows and a string of missed chances led to their downfall and a scoreline that flattered Hyde.

In-form striker, Chris Ward, had a rare off-day, and should have opened the scoring on 15 minutes after Potts cut inside. Ward did well to turn inside his marker but side-footed his shot wide. He then turned in a rebound after a Butler shot but a late flag brought an abrupt halt to City's celebrations.

However, City did get ahead 7 minutes into the second half. Ward nodded down a Potts free-kick for Brian Welch to prod home from 8 yards. But City were then hit with their first injury. Potts, a central source of production, was replaced after aggravating an ankle problem.

Then on 63 minutes, Trainor's shot bounced up and struck Thornley, with Simon Yeo on hand to equalise after two attempts. The City keeper then received lengthy treatment for double vision. Four minutes later, a through ball was lobbed over the City defence and Yeo took his time to unleash a sweet volley past the suffering Thornley. City boss, Tony Hesketh later admitted, 'we would have replaced Mark if we had a sub goalie.'

City made a fight of it with a Mayers header well saved by Bennett. Butler then pumped a cleared corner into the box that clipped a defender and came back off the bar. The City pressure continued but Hyde twice broke to clinch the game.

With four minutes remaining Band's deflected cross was flicked in by Yeo for his hat-trick and sub Steve Tobin then comfortably slotted in to complete the scoring.

Hesketh felt the overall performance was good enough to win but the game was turned on its head by a cruel bounce.

Team: Thornley, Sparrow, Haddow, L. Clitheroe, Rigby, Mayers, Martin, Butler, Ward, Welch, Potts (Brown). Unused subs: Dickinson, Love