LANCASTER progressed to the first round proper of the F.A. Trophy following a hard fought win over Tamworth.

Tamworth have a similar record to City in the Dr Martens' League but after a poor start they are one of their form sides and after taking the lead, City came under heavy pressure but defended with skill and determination to clinch their win.

City came close to scoring in the first attack of the game when John Francis broke in the penalty area but slipped as he took the ball past the keeper and his cross was eventually cleared.

A short back pass by Jimmy Graham gave Paul Hunter a half chance after nine minutes but Mark Thornley came out quickly to block the ball.

The game exploded after 16 minutes when Tamworth's David Foy and City's Charlie Boyd were sent off for an off the ball incident leaving both sides with a player short in midfield.

The decisive goal came after 31 minutes and was worthy of settling any game. Mark Dobie collected the ball and moved towards goal until some 25 yards out he spotted the keeper off his line and curled a superb shot over him into the top corner of the net.

As rain made the heavy conditions even more difficult, City seemed content to soak up the pressure and attempt to catch Tamworth on the break.

They seemed to be succeeding in this objective even if at times the defending was a little desperate until the 68th minute when Hunter went down under a challenge from Alex Jones and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Adrian Baddams placed his shot to Thornley's right hand side but the keeper guessed right and got down quickly to make a good save. The miss seemed to deflate Tamworth a little and although they continued to press for an equaliser they looked like a side that felt it was not going to be their day.

With Tamworth getting more desperate, Francis twice came close to clinching the game for City in the last ten minutes whilst Tony Rowe almost fumbled a Dobie shot into his own net.

The game ended with Tamworth forcing a couple of corners but they were unable to prevent City clinching a good, hard worked for victory.

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