A dreadful defensive performance which meant that two away goals did not yield any points was the cause of City's downfall at the Deeside Stadium.
The opening action of the match was a good reflex save by Jason Turner from former City man George Horan who got across his man from a left wing cross. City struck back with Gary Roberts picking up an intelligent ball from Ricky Evans, but he delayed his shot and Hopkins cleared off the line. The Nomads defender was the withdrawn and replaced by another Bangor old boy Nicky Brookman who slotted in at left back.
In an untidy first half chances were at a premium, but Bangor managed to win four corners without ever really threatening from them. However, as half time drew near, Gary Roberts found space on the left to pick out young striker Les Davies at the back post, but his weak effort was gratefully clutched by the nervous Hughes.
On 42 minutes a disturbing moment as Ricky Evans and George Horan clashed heads which left both players in need of treatment. Referee Parry - who had enjoyed an untroubled first period - brought a truly dismal first half to a close to the relief of most present. The only positives from Bangor's perspective would be the confidence of stand in 'keeper Jason Turner and the displays of nineteen-year-olds Paul Friel and Les Davies.
No sooner had the whistle blown for the second half than Connahs Quay went ahead as Stuart Rain tapped in at the far past after Jason Turner had done well to parry an intial shot from the right.
Ricky Evans was evidently still groggy from the clash of heads and was replaced by Rae Ingram, with rightback Clayton Blackmore moving into midfield. This move had scarcely been effected when Jon Kenworthy was allowed time and space to convert from close range to double the deficit.
On 62 minutes the impressive Les Davies brought City back into the match. A cross was only partly cleared to the edge of the box by the flapping Hughes and the big teenager fired a fizzing volley into the roof of net.
Noamds struck back and Jason Turner made a sharp save from Griffiths, with Rae Ingram heading the lose ball out for a corner. Then on 70 minutes Paul Roberts entered the fray instead of Kenny Burgess. In a matter of mnutes though it was 3-1 as Craig Hutchinson managed to turn in the box and finish from eight yards.
Lee Hunt came close to pulling one back, but delayed momentarily and pulled his shot wide, then Les Davies ran across field from the right and shot left-footed on target, but Hughes held comfortably. A limping Peter Hoy then made way for Ross Jefferies who took his place at right back. Bangor forced a couple of corners, the second of which saw Les Davies flash a shot wide from six yards in a crowded box.
In the final minute Lee Hunt sped onto an incisive pass from Paul Roberts to coolly drive the ball past Hughes and close the gap to 3-2. However moments later the energetic striker sent a header over form a Les Davies cross and the whistle sounded. A defeat borne of shoddy defending and self-induced errors.
Bangor City: Jason Turner, Peter Hoy, Alan Goodall, Eifion Jones, Clayton Blackmore, Paul Friel, Kenny Burgess, Lee Hunt, Ricky Evans, Gary Roberts. Subs: Paul Roberts, Ross Jefferies, Rae Ingram.
Connahs Quay: Hughes, Hopkins, Tuft, Hutchinson, Horan, Mazzarrella, Griffiths, Mutton, Rain, Kenowrthy, Owen. Subs: Brookman, Chesters, Lawton.
MAN OF THE MATCH, BANGOR CITY: Les Davies. OPPOSITION: George Horan.
Report by Mike Smith
