Scunthorpe 1 City 2
In the Liliputian wilds of North Lincolnshire, City saw off the challenge of hosts Scunthorpe to regain top spot in League One.
With Kerrea Gilbert still unavailable, Nigel Pearson made only one change from the side that drew at Swindon the previous week, DJ Campbell replacing the suspended Steve Howard.
But any fears among the large travelling contingent that Howard's absence may have an adverse effect on the side were soon dispelled as City got off to a whirlwind start, during which marksman Matty Fryatt twice forced Iron keeper Joe Murphy into fine saves. Fryatt was also denied a penalty when brought to ground by Murphy, but ref Fred Graham ruled that the stopper had played the ball first.
City had a tight grip on midfield during the opening 20 minutes, with Bruno Berner playing a particularly prominent role, vindicating Pearson's decision to prefer him to the more mercurial Max Gradel.
In a rare break, home danger man Paul Hayes saw a shot fly narrowly wide. However City's riposte was immediate and decisive. Fryatt sent Lloyd Dyer clear of a static Iron defence and the winger beat Murphy with ease to notch his eighth goal of the season.
This in turn roused a strangely subdued home side into action, with Hayes again going close when being denied by a Paul Henderson save. But just when City looked to have weathered the Scunthorpe storm, a slip by Joe Mattock allowed Matty Sparrow to send Hayes clear and beat Henderson for the equaliser….
So, once again, City had squandered a lead away from home. But on this occasion the side showed commendable levels of character, and could easily have regained the lead before half time, as further saves from Murphy denied Fryatt and Campbell.
Scunthorpe started the second half with the advantage of a wind as bitter as a Neil Warnock post-defeat press conference. City, though, were the first to threaten, as Matt Oakley beat the home defence to a long cross from Mattock, only to turn his shot narrowly wide.
That proved to be the last meaningful goalmouth action for some time, as the Iron became more physically competitive and took more of the possession. However the visiting defence remained firm, despite losing first Mattock and then Marc Edworthy to knocks.
Campbell was having a frustrating afternoon, repeatedly falling foul of a well-marshalled offside trap. However the service to him from the midfield was not always what it should have been.
Just when the game looked to be meandering to a draw, two touches of class turned the game in City's favour. Fryatt spotted Andy King making a rare excursion into the Scunthorpe half, and his exquisite through ball was equally well controlled by the midfielder, who turned past defenders to fire a low 20-yard past Murphy and spark delirious scenes among the visiting hordes.
Despite a late onslaught by the home side, this time they were unable to force an equaliser and City emerged triumphant to leapfrog the hosts into top spot. With Leeds, Peterborough and Milton Keynes all winning, this victory was of particular importance. It was also a significant response to those who had doubted the side's mental and physical resilience following some less than convincing recent away performances.
In addition, the three forthcoming home games, all extremely winnable, offers an opportunity for the team to develop some real momentum and ensure that the league leadership can be retained for the rest of the season.
City: Henderson (7), Edworthy (7) (Hobbs 75 (7)), Morrison (7), Tunchev (7), Mattock (6) (Powell 66 (6)), Oakley (7), King (7), Berner (7), Dyer (7), Fryatt (8) (Gradel 85 (n/a)), Campbell (6).
Subs not used: Martin, Hayles.
Scunthorpe: Murphy, Williams, Iriekpen, Byrne, Sparrow (Pearce 90), Hayes, Hooper, Mirfin, Woolford, McCann (May 87), Morris.
Subs not used: Lillis, Thompson, Wright.
The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust member nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation