Battling Bangor fought back from an early Nomads goal to grab all three goals thanks to an 88th minute strike from Frank Mottram. The win was soured though in the closing minutes when Referee Andy Richards sent Paul Roberts off for failing to retreat ten yards from a free-kick.
City boss Peter Davenport opted again for the 5-3-2 formation with Phil Baker playing in the middle alongside Eifion Jones and Chris Short. But all that counted for nothing as Paul Whitfield pulled off a smart save from Tommy Mutton who had raced in behind the new look defence. On three minutes there was more uncertainty and this time former Cefn United and Buckley striker Darren Williams lifted the ball over Paul Whitfield for an easy lead.
Clayton Blackmore provided City's first efforts on target as his 20 yard drive fired wide with Lee Williams a spectator, then Mark Connolly seized on a ball from the Welsh International but his effort screwed off target. On 16 mins Simon Davies was yellow carded for a trip before five mins later Paul Roberts joined him in the book for kicking the ball away.
On 22 mins Craig Hutchinson conceded a penalty for a trip on Clayton Blackmore which Paul Roberts converted confidently. Paul Whitifeld then made a good save from Tommy Mutton who might have done better. On 35 mins City claimed the lead when Paul Roberts seized on a clever overhead pass from Mark Connolly to fire home past Lee Williams in the Nomads net.
Darren Williams might have levelled the scores when he was set up by John Kenworthy but his effort lacked any real malice. One reason to be cheerful for Bangor boss would have been the form of centre half Phil Baker who won his headers and steadied the ship against Nomads attacks.
The paying punters had scarcely taken their seats when on 49 mins Bangor went 3-1 ahead. A Frank Mottram cross from the right seemed to have no obvious target but home defender George Horan sliced an attempted clearance into the net. Three mins later Danny Jellicoe was yellow carded and minutes later Stuart Rain came on for midfielder Craig Hutchinson. Eifion Jones then had to be alert to snuff out two attacks inspired by Rain. On the hour Bangor won their first corner of the evening which saw Peter Hoy fail to convert a close range chance which might have closed the game out.
From a second corner moments later Paul Roberts saw his shot held by Lee Williams but on 71 mins the meddlesome Stuart Rain found space at the back post as a cross from the right him unmarked; the result was inevitable. Two minutes later and Bangor's record transfer sale Tommy Mutton evened the scoring as he raced down on goal to chip the ball past Paul Whitfield before netting calmly from the right.
Three all and the travelling Bangor horde was silenced. With 15 mins to go City sent on Les Davies for Eifion Jones. The runaway truck set about ruining Dean Tuft's evening and turning the tide towards the Nomads goal. The 19 year gathered the ball on the left, charged past the startled Tuft, but saw his shot crash into the side netting.
Peter Hoy then made a great tackle on the pacey Tommy Mutton before Tuft was replaced by Andy Griffiths. John Kenworthy was then yellow carded for works passed to referee Richards. On 88 mins City snatched what turned out to be the winning goal. The commanding Phil Baker collected the ball on the half way line and ran right to left - towards the mainstand - before finding Paul Roberts with an intelligent pass which was immediately flicked on to the lurking Frank Mottram who turned his defender to drill left footed beyond Lee Williams' despairing dive.
Paul Roberts then sent a 30 yard free-kick on target which Lee Williams saved but the Criccieth striker was then shown a second yellow for failing to retreat from a Nomads freekick. Happily that was just about the final action of note before the City tribe could celebrate three rare points at the Deeside Stadium.
Report by Mike Smith
