October 2003: Mark Bailey (34) Scunthorpe United, 3-1
Jeff Winter reached straight for red when Mark Bailey challenged Peter Beagrie in the 34th minute, surprising those expecting a booking. City were already two goals ahead and dominating the derby at Glanford Park, but Bailey’s departure offered Scunthorpe a route back into the contest. The Imps now had almost an hour to negotiate with ten men.
Instead, City extended their advantage, with Francis Green scoring his first Imps goal after being released by Marcus Richardson’s header. Ben Futcher and Gary Taylor-Fletcher had supplied the earlier goals, leaving Paul Hayes’ second-half header as consolation for the hosts. Paul Mayo also struck a post, and Richard Butcher wasted a late chance, underlining how convincing the performance had been. The 3-1 victory stretched City’s unbeaten run to nine matches.
March 2004: Richard Liburd (42) Cheltenham Town, 2-3
Paul Mayo’s departure for Watford left Richard Liburd filling in on the left, but he lasted only 42 minutes at Whaddon Road. His first caution was for handball on the edge of the box, with Grant McCann scoring from the resulting free-kick. A subsequent challenge from behind on an opponent without the ball brought a second yellow, further weakening an Imps side already depleted by injuries and suspension.
Marcus Richardson’s third-minute opener and a penalty just before the interval nevertheless sent City into the break 2-1 ahead. The ten men withstood sustained Cheltenham pressure until former Imp John Finnigan drove home an equaliser in the 87th minute. Worse followed when substitute Kayode Odejayi headed the winner in the final minute, turning a battling away victory into a painful 3-2 defeat.
I’m sure you can’t wait for part two tomorrow!
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