City play to the crowd to down high-flying Dorking

City returned to winning ways this afternoon with an eventful 2-1 victory at high-flying Dorking Wanderers. Playing in front of supporters (though none from Bath) in a competitive game for the first time since March, the Romans had to defend for long spells, including seven minutes stoppage time with 10 men, but held out to deny the Surrey side a chance to go to the top of the table. The hosts started the game strongly with Ryan Clarke forced into the first of a series of fine stops after just six minutes from McShane’s header. Further chances came and went for Dorking but as the half progressed City began to look a threat when they got forward. And on 35 minutes a great reverse pass by Tom Mehew sent Donovan Wilson clear and he rounded Huk before slotting the ball home. The second half began in a more cagey fashion but just past the hour mark Prior saw his header cleared off the line by Dan Ball and another effort dropped just wide of the goal. An equaliser looked to be just a matter of time but with 19 minutes left Wilson teed up Tom Smith and his shot had enough power to beat Huk and double City’s lead. Tommy Conway fired narrowly over shortly after this before a farcical moment as City’s unused substitute Frankie Artus was red carded for kicking the ball away after it had gone into touch. Dorking finally scored seven minutes from time, Philpott heading home a corner after Clarke had bravely saved at the feet of Prior. The keeper then produced the save of the game from Wills’ shot. With the clock just past the 90 minute mark City were reduced to 10 men when Mehew received a second caution and then Prior had the ball in the net but via Gallagher’s hand so the effort was disallowed. Despite the extended stoppage time this was the last real scare for the Romans and at the final whistle they could celebrate a first league win on the road that will hopefully kick-start their season.