CITY’S bid for a play-off place stumbled with a disappointing performance at Weymouth on Saturday that handed the Terras an easy 2-0 victory.

Saints’ second trip to the south west in four days - they beat Frome 3-0 on Wednesday - ended in disappointment as the Wessex side wrapped up all three points within 16 minutes.

For City bosses Graham Golds and James Gray is was a day to forget. Not only did their four game winning streak come to an end but Saints failed to have a single shot on target.

Weymouth won the reverse fixture 3-2 at Clarence Park in November and, again, Brendan King’s side has City’s number.

After six minutes Weymouth had the lead. A hopefull punt over the top beat Saints’ defence but Ben Joyce’s shot was well saved by Nick Jupp. Joe Bruce’s clearance only found Barry McConnell who whipped in a menacing cross from the right for Kyle Critchell, who’s deft touch steered the back into the back of the net.

Weymouth’s Mark Ford heaped more pressure on the Saints - who dropped two places to ninth in the league - finishing off a solo effort with a shot across Jupp’s goal on 16 minutes.

The remainder of the game was poor for City who were pushed around by Weymouth. But City can climb into the top five with a win over Gosport Borough at Clarence Park on Tuesday (February 26).

The match is going to be far from straight forward for City though as the Hampshire club return to Hertfordshire, after drawing at Hemel on Saturday, looking to protect an excellent 19-game unbeaten run. Kick off is at 7.45pm.