PLAYING their full part in a highly entertaining and open game was of little consolation to City as they made the long 260 mile trip back from Northamptonshire on Tuesday night.

Despite twice taking the lead, City suffered their sixth defeat in nine games as their hopes of a making a late charge towards a play-off place suffered another setback.

It was never going to be an easy task at St James Park against a Brackley side who moved up to second with the win.

City though could count themselves unlucky not to take a point from an entertaining game, which was played in the right spirit with the referee never having to make use of his cards.

Manager Steve Thompson made two changes from the side that started Saturday's draw against Banbury with Scott Walker starting at left back and Kyle Tooze replacing Marvin Brown.

There was also a new face on the bench in new signing 19-year-old defender Ben Gerring, who has just been released by Plymouth Argyle.

And the visitors got off to the perfect start after seven minutes when Watkins crossed for Andy Taylor to head home at the far post.

Defender Arran Pugh almost made it 2-0 with a header which just wide from a Taylor corner.

Dangerous

Brackley though looked dangerous with Tom Winters shooting just wide before they equalised midway through the half when Owen Story converted a cross at the far post after 24 minutes.

But six minutes later, City were back in front when Taylor's corner from the left was acrobatically flicked home by Pugh from 12 yards.

Martin Rice made a fine double save from Joe Magunda and Ben Mackey to keep City in front.

At the other end Romanian Florin Pelecaci almost made it 3-1 after a jinking run which ended with the home keeper Walker making a good save.

But took Brackley just four minutes of the second half to draw level when some splendid one touch football ended with Story side footing the ball past a helpless Rice. Watkins went close to restoring City's lead before Winters put Brackley ahead for the first time following a quick counter attack.

Play swung from end to end before Brackley scored the killer fourth goal five minutes time when Winters free-kick took a big deflection to wrong foot Rice.

Although substitute Yetton pulled a goal back in stoppage time it was too late, leaving City to again reflect on what might have been.