LANCASTER City crashed to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Kettering after a headed goal from a tiny midfielder ruined all their hard work The Dolly Blues, with two draws from their first two games, gave an assured display until a 70th minute series of errors led to Jamie Paterson rising unmarked to head past Anthony McMillan.

Paterson was not picked up as City went to sleep - and that was a shame for them as they more than competed against one of the main fancies for promotion to the Nationwide Conference.

That goal was a big blow, especially for the outstanding Neil Uberschar, who was stunning in midfield.

The first half saw the sides trading blows with Alex Taylor and Nick Rogan looking particularly sharp up front for City.

At the other end Kettering thought they had won a penalty when Christian Moore went down under Iain Swan's challenge.

Referee Bernard Law pointed to the spot before reversing his decision when he noticed his assistant flagging for offside Rogan acrobatically shot inches over, while Taylor's non-stop running caused panic in the Kettering defence but overall 0-0 was a fair interval score.

The second period lost the momentum shown in the first, thanks mainly to the searing heat, but Lancaster were still lively.

Kettering's defence, though, made sure there was no way through and the game seemed destined to finish goalless.

That was until the 70th minute when Joe McMahon was beaten on the right. The ball then moved across field without a challenge going in and Paterson was allowed the freedom of the box to head home.

Boss Phil Wilson sent on Ryan-Zico Black to form a three-man attack and then introduced new boy Dave Shaw to try and grab a point.

Shaw has been prolific in North West Counties League football with Stone Dominoes - but in his seven-minute cameo he barely got a kick as Kettering's rock-solid defence stood tall.

And even with the towering McMahon acting as an emergency striker City couldn't get their goal to send a dismal crowd home depressed.

City: McMillan 7, Eckersley 8, Scott 7, Swan 8, McMahon 7, Elderton 7, Dawes 7 (Black 77), Uberschar 9, Jones 7, Rogan 8, Taylor 7 (Shaw 83). Subs (not used): Sullivan, Bauress, Howson Referee: Bernard Law Attendance: 317