'JUST forget it' - that's the message coming out of the Giant Axe as Lancaster City suffered another cup blow ahead of Saturday's FA Trophy showdown with Bromsgrove Rovers.

The Dolly Blues turned in a display of two distinct halves at Stalybridge on Tuesday night - brilliant at first and anything but later on.

For the first 45 minutes, City were hot and should have led by more than Tony Sullivan's strike. But after the break they collectively ran out of steam.

"The gaffer changed the team and give one or two lads who do not normally play a chance," said player-coach Gary Bauress.

"It worked for the first half but everyone tired after the break and now we need to put that behind us."

A week ago City crashed out of the Lancashire Trophy 5-1 at Skelmersdale United only to respond by beating Kettering on Saturday.

And Bauress is hoping history repeats itself.

City looked to be in top form during the first half as they penned Celtic back with Ian Dawes, Peter Thomson and new boy Brian Moogan - an ex-Everton trainee -all forcing saves from home keeper Phil Priestley.

And when the breakthrough came after 20 minutes, the floodgates could have opened.

Dawes found Thomson, who raced towards goal. But instead of shooting he centred to Sullivan who converted in style.

City continued to dominate the first half without adding to their lead and were made to pay after the break.

They never got out of the blocks as Stalybridge pushed forward on the heavy pitch - but managed to hold onto the advantage until five minutes from time.

Then, a defensive mix up allowed Paul Sykes to equalise, but even so City had a chance to win it as Thomson shot at goal under pressure in stoppage time.

Instead, the game was won by Celtic in the first five minutes of extra time when Andy Hayward and Terry Bowker - a stunning volley from 30 yards - made it 3-1.

City pulled one back through Martin Clark's rasping left-foot shot - but Scott Bonsall made it 4-2 as time ran out.

Irate boss Phil Wilson was annoyed after defeat at his old club and said: "We will be better on Saturday."

For the Bromsgrove clash, Wilson has injury concerns over Ryan-Zico Black (viral infection), Steve Hollis (ankle), Paul Sparrow (leg) and Joe McMahon (groin), while Bauress completes his suspension.

CITY: Speare, Uberschar, Sparrow, McMahon, Scott, Sullivan (Stone 97), Moogan (Prince 68), Elderton, Jones, Dawes (Clark 80), Thomson. Unused subs: Francis, Yeomans.