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City fall off the rails

21/ 2/2008

SALFORD City were brought crashing back down to earth with a nightmare week of results.

They have been replaced at the top of the Vodkat first division table by Newcastle Town after losing 1-0 at lowly Atherton Collieries on Monday night. And City crashed out of the Vodkat League Cup with a 2-0 quarter-final defeat at Winsford United two days earlier.

Salford dominated Monday’s game at Atherton. They played some great football and created a stack of chances but their finishing let them down and the home side pinched the spoils with Neil Davies’ 70th minute penalty.

City centre back Kenny Tudor conceded the spot kick with a foul on Matty Barnes.

And at the other end of the pitch, Jon Robinson missed several good chances, including an open goal, while Matty Burke was thwarted by two stunning saves.

Atherton’s keeper had an inspired game but Rob Kelly should have done much better with a free header.

Meanwhile, it was a case of third time lucky for Winsford on Saturday as City had won their two previous encounters with the Blues this season.

Both teams were under strength and a difficult pitch on a cold afternoon combined to produce a poor spectacle.

Winsford took the lead against the run of play on the 30th minute mark. Les Miranda moved into acres of space down City’s left flank and made no mistake with a ferocious drive past young Salford keeper Chris Petrou.

City pushed forward after the break. They had a lot of possession in the final third of the pitch but struggled to create clear cut chances.

Tudor, when pushed forward into the attack, came closest with two headers which went narrowly wide.

Winsford relied on quick breakaways and Petrou had to be alert to foil Miranda at his near post before he was beaten by a deep looping cross from Ross Kennedy four minutes from time.

Stephen Brackenridge missed a glorious chance for Salford in injury time.

City host near neighbours Maine Road on Saturday, February 23, kick-off 3pm, and travel to Nelson for another league game on Wednesday, February 27, kick-off 7.45pm.