Badman had a great chance within the opening minutes only for United keeper Dyson to deny him with a fingertip save. This turned out to be a rare City opening as they struggled to come to terms with the shocking weather conditions, the strong wide favouring the away side, and heavy pitch. Elsey blasted one chance well over, Davis saw a deflected shot safely gathered by Ray Johnston and Seal should have done better when sent clear by Elsey, but on 20 minutes the visitors took the lead. A deep Hendy cross found an unmarked Elsey eight yards out and his header went across Johnston into the net. Just another six minutes passed and Mangotsfield doubled their lead. A free-kick was fired in by Elsey that eluded everyone and ended up in the corner of the goal. City were now there for the taking, the small crowd becoming increasingly fustrated by the ineptitude of their side, but thankfully keeper Johnston prevented them falling further behind, denying Davis and Edwards in quick succession. The home side would have been greatful to have reached the interval with no further problems but just before the break they received a bonus that changed the course of the game. Badman won a free-kick 25 yards out and Drysdale's low shot bounced cruelly in front of Dyson to leave the keeper well beaten.

This was Drysdale's final contribution to the game, he was replaced by debutant Mark Rowlands, but his teammates made the most of this lucky break. As they found themselves under more and more pressure Mangotsfield resulted to increasingly illegal means to stop City. With the referee failing to punish the offenders through his cards City applied their own justice by scoring twice in ten minutes from well directed free-kicks. The first came on the hour mark when Gary Thorne lifted the ball toward the United area. Foster diverted it toward goal where MacLean got the faintest touch to beat Dyson. The second came from a much more firm touch as Foster got on the end of Collier's set piece to head firmly past the diving keeper. City were now in control and MacLean and Foster both spurned chances to seal the game. Four minutes from time they almost paid for these misses when Loyden found space eight yards out. However, his shot came back off the post into the grateful arms of Johston and City took their place alongside Clevedon Town, Team Bath and Street in the semi-final of the competition.