Bangor eased to a 4-0 win at Plaskynaston as the hosts ended the match with ten men with player manager Alan Morgan watching from the sidelines.

The presence in the City goal of former Altrincham and TNS goalkeeper Richard Acton certainly settled the defence which saw Eifon Jones re-instated alongside Phil Baker. In midfield there was also a warm welcome back to Paul Frield as he returned via a new term at Bangor University.

City set out their marker in the opening five minutes as Phil Baker and then Eifion Jones got in front of their man to win challenges that set Simon Davies moving forward. The teenage midfield pairing of Friel and Owain Jones also set to work, with the abrasive Irishman quickly snapping into the tackles and loose balls. However on nine minutes the smiles were wiped off the visiting supporters are Frank Mottram was helped from the field after turning his ankle following an attack on the left; his replacement was Les Davies.

Bangor seemed determined to overcome this setback and on twelve minutes a wonderful cross from rightwinger Mark Connolly found the Druids defence lacking the height to mark Owain Jones whose firm downward header beat Mackin's despairing dive. Druids then fashioned their first shot at goal when Mike Thompson sent a fiercely struck left footer off target from 20 yards. Owain Jones went close again but after a neat one two his shot lacked conviction and Mackin gathered comfortably.

With City's big goalkeeper bellowing instructions from behind his defence and the Irish student chattering noisly in front of them, this was a far more purposeful and vociferous City side than had yielded three points to Newtown a week earlier.

On 23 mins City doubled their advantage as Paul Roberts found latched onto a header from Les Davies on the left to fire low past Mackin. Roberts then won a corner when his shot was deflected over, Simon Davies' kick was headed on target by Eifion Jones but Mackin again held cleanly. As half time loomed Les Davies fired on target, Paul Friel picked up a yellow card, before the red card incident which effectively ended the contest.

Owain Jones played laid the ball off but was caught late by a brutal lunge from Alan Morgan which led to a brief exchange of views. Referee Woodthorpe regained his composure, consulted with the linesman and promptly raised the red card to the spiteful offender who left the field to an array of comments from the City supporters and a marked hush from the Plaskynaston faithful. Owain Jones was carried to the sidelines on a stretcher.

Whilst the City players enjoyed a half time cuppa Owain Jones stayed on the field with Huw Griffiths to assess his mobility. He took his place from the kick off before Paul Roberts went close twice - the second from a freekick - before Owain made way to young Morgan Jones on 52 mins. Moments later Eifion Jones was rightly yellow carded for a late challenge on Shannon before Les Davies lifted another freekick over the Druids bar from 25 yards.

A mistake by Clayton Blackmore then brough the best out of the improving Phil Baker as Aiden Shannon raced goalwards but was forced to the right by Pip who blocked the goalbound effort which bounced out for a goalkick. On 68 mins though Bangor went 3-0 up when Clayton Blackmore more than made amends for his earlier slip. Playing a neat one two with substitute Morgan Jones he drifted with a crosshot over Mackin from the left after two Druids defenders - Aled Rowlands and Nick Parry - had collided "keystones cops" style.

Five minutes later, on 73, it was 4-0 with Paul Roberts planting the ball past Mackin from 20 yards after Morgan Jones won possession on the edge of the box. The tiring Paul Friel, who had enjoyed a fine return, then made way for the fnal substitute Chris Short who slotted in at right back with Clayton moving into a midfield barely recognisable from the one which kicked off.

As time ran out Les Davies and the combatative Mark Connolly both fired off target from distance before a clever back heel from Paul Roberts set Morgan Jones free. Cefn conceded a corner but Eifion Jones' attempted header resulted in a freekick which was quickly followed by the final whistle and three points which lift City - perhaps temporarily - into second place.

The early impressions of Richard Acton, who held his crosses and talked to his defence, were very promising. So too the defensive partnership between Phil Baker and Eifion Jones. So far so good, but with one eye on tougher times to come.

Report by: Mike Smith