MANIC, breathtaking, downright madcap. Call it what you will but City’s 4-3 win over Sherwood Colliery certainly set pulses racing.

Here, we rate the players…

REPORT: City 4 Sherwood Colliery 3

AS IT HAPPENED: City 4 Sherwood Colliery 3

MATT GWYNNE 5

Hesitant and bereft of confidence, seemed stuck to his line. Slight redemption was earned with a couple of key saves but was far too shaky.

GEORGE FORSYTH 7

Two assists and a strong influence at both ends. Hard to recall any defensive problems coming from his side. Impressive return.

AARON GRIFFITHS 5

Too much passed him by, okay going forward but needed to produce to back up last week’s strong return.

ALEXANDRU ALBERT 6

Dealt with the tricky wind as well as could be expected and seemed to relish being back in the middle but still had a rough time of it. 

MARK SMITH 4

Had a bit of a stinker. Never the quickest on the deck but uncharacteristically got caught under high balls and missed the odd header.

NATHAN HAYWARD 6

Grafted and certainly had to after Brad Birch went off but did not quite find the drive he provided last week. A lack of pressure from central midfield almost proved costly at 4-3.

MAT BIRLEY 7

Was bristling cutting in from the right, worked hard like Hayward when in the middle but again, that area got bypassed too often at 4-3 and it could have proved costly.

BRAD BIRCH 3

Only he knows how much malice was in his flailing arm but on the back of recent red card troubles for City, should the captain have avoided taking such a risk? 

STAR MAN – LEE HUGHES 8

Sublime goal and worked tirelessly for the cause, particularly when ploughing a lone furrow late on. Bright and threatening throughout, back to the standards he would expect after a tough outing last weekend.

DAVE REYNOLDS 7

Might seem an odd mark to give a striker with two goals. Drifted in and out of the match but still made a telling contribution.

JAMIE SMITH 7

In and out of the game when on the wing but battled well after dropping to left-back. Superb finish for his goal and grafted for the cause.

Subs: Sarmento 6 (Griffiths, 66), Baldwin 6 (Reynolds, 83). Unused: Mole, Fedotovs, Dayus (g/k).

Sherwood: Kerry 6, Robson 7, Shaw 6, Harris 6, Starbuck 7, York 6, Adcock 6 (Curzon, 83, 6), Wiesztort 6 (Topliss, 63, 6), Warner 7 (Beardsley, 63, 7), Theaksone 9, Sowter. 7 Unused subs: Naylor, Robinson.

Attendance: 408.

Ref: Josh Warren 6/10.

Match rating: 5/5.