City fought back to secure a point against in form Caersws after having goalkeeper Phil Priestley sent off whilst conceding a second half penalty when trailing 1-0 to Caersws.

It all started brightly enough with Paul Gedman going close and City forcing a succession of corners in an impressive, composed opening 25 minutes spell attacking the Farrar End. The clearest shooting chance was created by Kenny Burgess whose right wing run left defenders trailing but his shot span wide of the far post. Caersws hit back with young midfielder Chris Venables but his right footed curler also flew the wrong side of the upright.

On the quarter hour mark City forced a fourth corner as Steve Hitchin ran purposefully down the right. Caersws cleared the initial centre but City regathered and supplied centre forward Paul Gedman on the edge of the box, but rather than shoot he laid the ball back to Ross Jefferies whose hurried shot was scuffed wide. Moments later an uncharacteristic mistake by Gareth Evans let Marfell in but Eifion Jones was alert to the danger an intercepted on his six yard line. On 21 mins Peter Hoy was harshly booked for a mistimed tackle on speedy striker Graham Evans on the half way line before Andy Mulliner pulled off a superb save from Clayton Blackmore whose dipping volley seemed destined for the net.

On two occasions referee Mike Jones waved away Caersws penalty claims for what was obvious diving but - despite gesturing to this effect - refused to caution the offenders.

But on 24 minutes disaster struck as Steve Hitchin was caught in two minds, dispossessed and the ball squared to Geraint Lewis to fire home from 20 yards with a clean low drive. From the kick off Bangor charged upfield but Paul Gedman headed off target from six yards. Eifion Jones was again in the right place at the right time to deny Graham Evans as danger threatened before play switched to the Farrar End and Clayton Blackmore's attempted overhead kick from Paul Gedman's cross.

Before the interval there was time for City to force a seventh corner but manager Peter Davenport must have been disappointed with the lack of openings created from these set piece plays. The last word fell to Andy Marfell whose firm drive hit the advertising boards on the safe side of Phil Priestley's right hand post.

Five minutes after the restart Les Davies robbed Geraint Lewis on the left and fired a low cross into the six yard area but Andy Mulliner gathered cleanly on the floor. Caersws forced their second corner of the game but Bangor cleared. Battling play on the attacking left by Alan Goodall unsettled the visting defenders but resulted in a goal kick. Winger Les Davies sent in a rightfooted cross from the left but Ross Jefferies saw his header saved by Mulliner. A half chance opened up for Gareth Evans but his effort lacked conviction.

A right wing cross from Paul Gedman was attacked by Kenny Burgess but his header flew off target before Les Davies was yellow carded for a heavy tackle on Graham Jones. Bluebirds boss Micky Evans then sent on Jamie Davies for Chris Venables in a midfield swap.

Referee Mike Jones scarcely endeared himself to the Bangor faithful in the incident which saw Geraint Lewis flatten Peter Hoy with a straight arm blow to the face in the Bangor box. Whilst the City defender was receiving treatment Mr Jones yellow carded Lewis for what can only have been described as violent conduct and surely merited a straight red.

On 64 minutes came the moment that was to change the game. Phil Priestley chased a Caersws forward to the edge of his box along the right touchline and in a moments madness tripped the striker as he meandered towards the corner flag. The incident was clearly inside the box and a penalty was unavoidable. Worse was to follow though as Mr Jones then produced a red card to the keeper for comments passed to the linesman. Down to ten men, a penalty awarded and no goalkeeper. Things couldnt get much worse.

Alan Goodall quickly put on the keeper jersey and gloves and prepared to face Graham Evans. The little striker stepped up, blasted the ball down the middle and to his immense credit the stand in stopper pulled off a smart save! As a wave of relief surged around Farrar Road manager Peter Davenport reorganised his depleted side with Paul Friel taking the place of Gareth Evans.

Bangor forced corners eight and nine and the match assumed a more passionate edge. Les Davies was fouled on the edge of the box but there was no yellow card, Peter Hoy fired off target from ten yards. Geraint Lewis - who had no right ot be on the pitch - headed over as Caersws won their third corner of the afternoon. On 82 mins the last roll of the dice saw a double substitution with Paul Gedman and Kenny Burgess making way for Paul Roberts and Mark Connolly.

On 86 mins the changes paid off. Mark Connolly helped on a ball from the right which found Paul Roberts on the left hand edge of the box. He cut back to his right leaving two Caersws defenders static before powering a low drive past Mulliners left hand and into the bottom corner. By now Bangor had a surge of self belief and pushed forward, ten men or not, to force a tenth and final corner kick, but again to no avail. This was by far the closest of this season's encounters with The Bluebirds but from City's point of view a hard earned point and as usual one laced with controvesy and questionable decisions from another batch to woeful officials.

Bangor City: Phil Priestley, Peter Hoy, Alan Goodall, Eifion Jones, Steve Hitchen, Gareth Evans, Kenny Burgess, Clayton Blackmore, Paul Gedman, Ross Jefferies, Les Davies
Subs: Mark Connolly, Paul Roberts, Paul Friel

Caersws: Mulliner, Thomas, Scott, Reynolds, Clarke, Lewis, Venables, Marfell, Evans, Jones, Davies
Subs: Howells, Davies

Report by: Mike Smith