Before they took control of proceedings City were given an early scare. With less than a minute on the clock Huckerby ran clear into City's box but was denied by Hervin's quick reactions. City's first opening came after nine minutes when Collier's deflected effort was save well by Taylor. Seven minutes later the keeper was called into action when Gosling's pass set Keen free only for the striker to fire weakly straight at Taylor. Despite the heavy pitch City continued to play as well as they had for a while and on 17 minutes where handed a perfect opportunity to take the lead. Williams collected Davis' pass and having easily ran past Cartwirght was brought down by the defenders desperate lunge. Thorne stepped up to take the kick and even when Taylor blocked his shot he appeared certain to score from the rebound, but with the keeper still on the ground Thorne could only direct his second effort straight at him. However, City did not let this setback stop them and continued to create chance after chance. From the clearest of these openings Keen headed a Gosling cross over on 24 minutes and Hopkins had a shot delected wide by Storer six minutes later.

The interval saw little change in the proceedings, although it was obvious that City, and their supporters, were beginning to get fustrated over the lack of any reward for their dominance. At this point it was clear that if Hinckley were to get a goal themsleves it would come from a City error and within five minutes of the restart this almost happened. Hervin's poor clearance was collected by Rowland and he pushed it toward O'Toole, but with Hervin struggling to get back in his goal he could only slice a shot well wide. City's reply to this escape was a 20-yard Gosling shot that Taylor pushed away for a corner. Harvey then tested the keeper from the same range. With time starting to run out Harvey allowed his fustration to earn him a caution and slowly the visitors began to find some possession with City tiring. Hervin produced another good save with his legs from Rowland after 70 minutes. A Penny header also went close, missing the goal but a couple of inches, although in between a weaving run by Gosling was only stopped by a late block by Cartwright. As the game reached it's closing ten minutes City continued to search for that elusive goal but instead they found themselves on the receiving end. Cartwright eluded Williams and Gosling down the left flank and his cross was turned back across goal where Lucas fired home from three yards out. And just three minutes later it got even worse for City, Cartwright again producing the centre that Rowland headed past Hervin. In the final minute City finally got on the scoresheet, Hopkins managing what Thorne couldn't from the penalty spot, after a pull on Davis, but despite several minutes stoppage time following continual time-wasting by the Leicestershire side they couldn't find another way through.