City run leaders close

Wells City remain without a point since mid-December after being edged out at Cribbs on Saturday.

However, the performance – with five new faces in the side against the league leaders – was a lot more encouraging and the management and players must have a brighter vision of what lies ahead.

Wells led after an outstanding first-half display but the table-toppers upped their game in the second half and it was enough to earn a result which was harsh on the Blues in terms of possession.

The visitors dominated the opening period and took a deserved lead when a Shaughnessy mistake allowed debutant Tim Downes to get behind the Cribbs defence and find the bottom corner.

Wells might feel disappointed not to have added to their lead before the interval as they were the dominant side in the opening 45 minutes.

It was important not to concede an equaliser early in the second half but Cribbs drew the scores level on 52 minutes when Jordon Yeo and Jack Kennedy linked up well to set up the former, who slotted the ball wide of keeper Alex Mitchell and into the net.

However, Wells did not buckle as newcomer Rex Palmer was outstanding at the heart of the defence against a home side growing in confidence.

Wells could not prevent a Cribbs winner on 70 minutes, though, as a deep Yeo cross was headed superbly home at full stretch by the diving Tom Burns.

Mitchell did well to deny Yeo and Burns with late saves and Wells were unable to force an equaliser at the other end.

Man of the match: Rex Palmer.