CRAIG Davis wasn’t overly surprised by Winchester City’s 4-1 Evo-Stik South West defeat at Bristol Manor Farm yesterday

With six key first-teamers unavailable, City travelled to The Creek more in hope than expectation of avenging a 2-1 home reverse by The Farm back in mid-October.

The Citizens did manage to nose ahead in the third-versus-fourth contest when Oli Bailey released Dan Williamson for a great run and finish with ten minutes gone.

But, having quickly levelled through Troy Simpson, the hosts took the lead just before half-time when defender Lloyd Mills headed home following a corner.

Another header proved Winchester’s undoing on 73 minutes when Jay Adams got on the end of Jordan Metters’ cross and Mills struck again five minutes later, volleying home amid a crowded penalty box.

Reports from the Bristol end hailed it their best performance of the season against a City side who played better than the scoreline suggests.

“There were quite a few comments from them saying they can see why we’re up there, but that was only half of what we are,” rued player/boss Davis.

“It was inevitable really with the unavailability we had. We also lost Adam Tomasso and Danny King during the game, while Joe Hayward and Jamie Barron played on with injury.

“Dan Williamson scored a real good goal and we had a good go at the start of the second half, but couldn’t quite get that equaliser.

“They then go and score a third with a cross bundled home and then killed us off with another set-piece goal and it was game dead.

"But despite the result, I’m very proud of the players and it was nice to see young Josh McCormick come on for his debut.”

City, down to sixth, can propel themselves right back up there with victory at rock-bottom Bishops Cleeve on Tuesday (7.45pm).

“We’re still right in the mix and we’ve got to go there and do a job,” said Davis, who will welcome back Simba Mlambo and Rob Carr into the fold.