City were at home 20 years ago today, facing freshly-promoted Doncaster Rovers.

Our visitors had six points from six, five goals scored and none conceded. City were pointless, having lost against Oxford and Torquay, and without a goal. Leo Fortune-West, a former Imps striker, had three goals in three matches, as did Gregg Blundell. Doncaster might not have been at the Bank since the 1997/98 season, but they came on the crest of a wave.

Keith needed to mix things up a bit, and he did. Sticking with a 5-2-3, he shuffled his shot-shy pack, With Mark Bailey replacing Matt Bloomer at right back. Peter Gain returned to replace Ben Sedgemore, and the suspended Simon Yeo sat out, Dene Cropper coming into the first XI. The team, lining up 3-5-2, was Marriott, Bailey, Mayo, Futcher, Morgan, Weaver, Butcher, Gain, Taylor-Fletcher, Cropper and Liburd. Off the bench, Soctt Willis, Matt Bloomer, and new loan signing Marcus Richardson would all make an appearance, with Ben Sedgemore and Allan Pearce unused.

City were battered in front of 5,051, to put it bluntly. Fortune-West missed a hatful of chances, the first as early as five minutes when he headed wide after Paul Green had hit the post, and then Mazza. He then headed wide from a Michael McIndoe cross, before a Weaver slip saw him one-on-one with Mazza from 15 yards. He fired wide.

In the second half, much of the same. On 60 minutes, the former Imp again took advantage of Weaver’s mistake, only to put the ball over the bar. McIndoe also tested Mazza from a free-kick, drawing a super save from the player City fans called England’s number one.

In the Doncaster goal, Andy Warrington had little to do. He’d make a superb save from City’s best chance, a free kick from Mark Bailey, whilst he made another save with his feet after home debutant Taylor-Fletcher jinxed through the defence, but they were half chances. By the time referee, Mr. Knight, blew for the end of the game, Doncaster had 13 shots, five on target. City had managed just four, two on target, and were second best for the third time in three matches.

The result left Keith’s side 21st, the only team without a goal, and only kept off the bottom by pointless Carlisle and Darlington.

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