A MUCH-improved performance without the desired result, City drew 1-1 with South Normanton Athletic today.

Here, we rate the players…

TOM PALMER 6

Little to do but could not be faulted for the goal. Solid enough.

ALEXANDRU ALBERT 7

Had it all on to deal with the tricky Kevin Hemagon and did okay, frustrating the big frontrunner. Looked comfortable in the back three after the red card.

AARON GRIFFITHS 7

Seemed to benefit from his omission in recent weeks.

Added drive and played some pinged diagonal passes into the right channel to good effect in the first half. Slotted into a back three well but switched off for the Athletic's goal.

MARK SMITH 5

Exposed on the deck a couple of times by Hemagou, might have given away a penalty and would have been disappointed not to prevent the goal.

WAYNE THOMAS 3

Fitted in well and brought much-needed solidarity until his red card. Needlessly got dragged into a situation that proved costly.

STAR MAN - NATHAN HAYWARD 8

Usual 100 per cent work rate coupled with a good display on the ball. Alongside Brad Birch, made City tick.

JOSH SARMENTO 7

His clever movement was too much for South Normanton, particularly poor left-back Sam Groves, but should have got on the score sheet and might have given away a penalty.

BRAD BIRCH 8

Played through the pain barrier with his ankle not totally right but that did not show. Lung-busting runs and a tenacious edge.

LEE HUGHES 6

An assist and bags of effort but things did not quite happen for the joint-boss on the pitch.

His play was disrupted by a multitude of fouls that should have seen Kane Jellyman booked at the very least.

DAVE REYNOLDS 6

As usual, good movement and a sprinkling of flair, it just did not happen in front of goal.

Unquestionably should have scored one, perhaps two and won’t need telling that.

ALEX TOMKINSON 7

Lively out wide, did well to take his chance well but had others.

Another who might have put City two up and with 10 minutes left, might have played a bigger part in trying to prevent the equaliser.

Subs: J Smith 6 (Tomkinson, 77), Baldwin 6 (Birch, 81), Mole 6 (Sarmento, 88). Unused: Fishwick, Gwynne (g/k).

The star man poll closes at 6pm tomorrow (Sunday, October 15).

South Normanton: Keeling 7, Jellyman 5, Groves 4, Roberts 6, Strzyzweski 6, Leigh 7, Leighton 7 (Abou, 77, 6), O Brien 5, Hemagou 6, Crosby 7, S Kellogg 6. Unused subs: Clark, McEvoy, T Kellogg.

Attendance: 335.

Ref: James Lunn 5/10.

Match rating: 3/5.