Forget the fine

The Dolly Blues were called to the Conference dock after three-quarters of Wilson's squad - and the manager himself - became snared up in traffic ahead of the home game with Runcorn FC Halton.

The match was eventually abandoned - and the Conference called for an inquiry and charged City with 'failing to fulfil a fixture'.

After a Conference board meeting that lasted two days, Lancaster were hit with a £500 fine over the incident and ordered to pay Runcorn's costs after the Conference North strugglers made it to Giant Axe after a detour through Yorkshire.

"I think it's a little harsh, Wilson tells the Citizen.

"We were all stuck because the M6 was closed and it was impossible to move and the Conference seem to have been harder than they needed to be.

"But it would have been a travesty if they had deducted points from us - that really would have been a disaster."

City secretary Barry Newsham adds: "The Conference board acted quite sensibly given the powers they have.

"We were fined £500 and ordered to pay Runcorn's costs - but they could have fined us up to £5,000 and deducted points or even kicked us out of the league as per FA rules.

"So we can take the punishment on the chin."

On the field City faced a tough game at Nuneaton Borough last night (Tuesday) as they looked to get back to winning ways after Saturday's shock defeat at Bradford Park Avenue.

"It was a horrible game," says Wilson. "The ball was never on the deck and it was cold and windy - and it was disappointing.

"But the important thing is to bounce back. We have 10 games left and they are all like cup finals."

City host Stalybridge Celtic on Saturday and that promises to be a tough game.

Celtic are still in the final relegation place but new boss John Reed has given them a real chance of staying in Conference North.

"They are probably the form team of the moment," adds Wilson. "It will be a tough game - but then again every match is tough in this league."