SPIRITED Lancaster City produced a better performance but slipped to defeat again at Giant Axe on Saturday.
All three goals came in the first half, as City fought back well after going 2-0 down, enjoying plenty of possession but they lacked a cut
ting edge.
City have now won only once in 10 games, but manager Barrie Stimpson had cause for optimism after watching his side's display.
New loan signing from Carnforth Rangers Ben Price replaced the injured Mark Thornley in goal. Also, Liam Jeffrey made his first start and Tom Entwisle came in for the injured Michael Stringfellow.
However, City again found themselves on the back foot early on. With three minutes on the clock, Chris Emms found space in the penalty area and his mishit shot was bobbling wide when Mark Sheeran stabbed it past Price.
After 11 minutes, Aaron Helliwell beat two men before finding Dave Foster, who curled narrowly wide.
The second goal was a killer blow to City, and it arrived on 34 minutes. Good interplay down the left led to impressive full-back Leon Scott whipping in a cross for the prolific Lee Novak to head home.
However, City responded in the best possible way. On 39 minutes, Uberschar produced a determined run, beating three players, but fluffed his shot. The loose ball found its way to Mike Rushton, who slammed his shot into the roof of the net.
Lancaster managed to keep the pressure on after the break, left-back Neil Marshall smashing a free kick at goal which 'keeper Dan Lowson did well to hold.
At the other end, debutant Price saved well from Leon Scott's sharp 20-yard shot.
The visitors almost put the result beyond doubt, ex-Middlesbrough defender Dean Gordon curling a free-kick goalwards which Price did superbly to tip onto the crossbar.
Blue Star squandered arguably the game's best chance with eight minutes left, Mark Sheeran heading tamely at Price after more impressive build-up play.
Lancaster City: Price, Uberschar, Marshall, Heffernan, Swan, Entwistle, Rushton (Love 52), Helliwell, Foster, Jackson, Jeffrey.
Referee: Iain Siddall.
Attendance: 159.The full article contains 366 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
