Town made heavy weather of what should have been an easy victory over Manchester City. The Blues went three up inside an hour, but allowed the up to then thoroughly poor City side get back into it with two late goals.
The Town side saw John McGreal drop out with his post-inflicted leg injury. Surprisingly it was John Scales who took the former Tranmere player’s place and not Titus Bramble, who was once again on the bench. Perhaps Scales’ excellent reserve appearance in the week got him the nod.
Town’s first half performance ought to have had the game settled. They dominated without ever getting out of first gear, while City seemed unable to string even one pass together.
The Blues went ahead in the 7th minute. A Jamie Clapham cross was converted by Marcus Stewart for his eighth of the season. There seemed to be a resigned silence around the ground as if the home fans are convinced a goal against is only a matter of time.
Town briefly stepped up a gear after the first goal and a goal looked likely almost every time we went forward. In midfield Jim Magilton and Jermaine Wright were finding space and were moving the ball around well. Up front Marcus Stewart put in an incredible amount of work. He was spraying passes wide to Clapham and Wilnis and dropping back to win the ball too. He looks a man who could have been playing Premiership football all his life.
The second goal came from a corner from the left. Hermann Hreidarsson rose above everyone else and directed the ball home. The Icelander looked thoroughly pleased as he scored his first goal for the Blues, the becomes the last of Town’s regular defenders to bag a goal. It was also the first Town goal from a corner for as long as we can remember.
Some of the Manchester City players were beginning to get a bit frustrated. Paul Dickov tried to take out his frustration on Hermann Hreidarsson, but the tiny ball of Scottish anger failed to do anything other than stir the wrath of the Town fans. Referee Mr Dean spoke to him, but did nothing.
The second half started with an immediate attack from City. Their best player by far, Shaun Wright-Phillips tried to run through the Town team, but eventually was dispossessed.
On 53 Town went further ahead when a neat passing manoeuvre on the right ended with Matt Holland looping a cross into the area. James Scowcroft rose with a defender, but the ball continued where it found Marcus Stewart unmarked at the back of the box. Goalkeeper Nicky Weaver appeared to stop, seemingly expecting an offside flag as Stewart walked round him and planted the ball into the net before celebrating in front of the Blues support.
From there it should have been a breeze, with perhaps the odd extra goal thrown in. City, however, had other ideas. Paulo Wanchope came on and after 71 minutes he pulled one back for the home side. The Costa Rican ran at the Town defence before unleashing a shot at Richard Wright. The ball hit a defender and looped past the Town keeper.
Still all looked comfortable for Town and the Blues nearly added a fourth. Substitute David Johnson hit a post when set up by Marcus Stewart. It was a bitter piece of luck for a player who seems sadly lacking good fortune this season.
Things began to get more nervy for the Blues when City added a second. Mark Kennedy was chased down the wing by Fabian Wilnis shoulder to shoulder. The ball ran out and the referee appeared to award a goalkick to the Blues. Wilnis kicked the ball back to Richard Wright, but was then unbelievably shown a yellow card. It turned out the referee had awarded a freekick to City, although his signal was far from clear. Jermaine Wright pointed this out to Mr Dean, but this only succeeded in getting the freekick brought in ten yards. No booking as the law states though.
While Town were still lining up for the kick the ball was chipped in and Steve Howie headed home.
Now things were getting frantic. Town were failing to keep hold of the ball when the had it and City were lumping ball after ball into the area. On the break Marcus Stewart and David Johnson again contrived a chance that hit the woodwork. This time it was a Johnson pass to Stewart and a shot which cannoned off the bar, off Waver and towards the goal. The City keeper got back in time and the City onslaught continued.
The clock ticked past ten-to and Town fans were calling for the whistle. City won several throws in a row down the right, but the Town defence was holding up.
Eventually the whistle went to a great deal of relief on the Town terrace. Another away win and Town are now up to 27 points — the same total as we were relegated with in 94/95. Up to third and a chance to go even higher next week with a home game against Derby. But please, can we start holding on to leads without this late nerve-wracking stuff?