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Saturday 4 October 2003 - Twerton Park - kick off 3.00pm Dr Martens Premier Division 
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| half-time: 0-0 | result: L0-2 | attendance: 549 |
| team: | Bryant, Shore, Jenkins, Hendy, Trought (c), Rollo, Bennett, Counsell (Coupe 80), Cleverley, Salter (Plummer 67), Sykes (Bridges 80). subs not used: Jeffries, Howarth. |
| man of the match: | Mike Trought |
| scorers: | none |
| bookings: | Bennett (70) |
| officials: | G Scott (Abingdon), C Brokenshaw (Portland), T Paul (Weymouth) |
| league position: 19th | form: DWLWLL | next match: Paulton (H) |
City’s dismal league run continued with their third defeat on the trot alongside yet another blank in front of goal. This time is was Hinckley United who were allowed to walk away with the three points from a 2-0 victory that was sealed with two quick strikes midway through the second half, although the result had looked on the cards long before the goals finally arrived. As with Tuesday’s same-score reversal at Merthyr it was a familiar face that helped inflict the damage. Striker Matt Lewis had spent an undistinguished month on loan at City last season. However, his time with the Knitters has been the complete opposite as he grabbed his fifth goal in just six outings.
With Andy Williams and Alfie Carter missing through injury and Adam Howarth and Matt Coupe dropped to the bench City made four changes to the Merthyr starting line-up. In came new signing Steve Jenkins, fit-again Frankie Bennett, Drew Shore and Alex Sykes. However, despite these changes City were always second best to the visitors, although in the first half both sides struggled to produce anything approaching quality football. The first opening took fifteen minutes to arrive, Jenkins heading a Shore corner over the bar. Mark Salter should have done better when Danny Cleverley’s cross picked him out than delay long enough for Penny to dispose him. Hinckley’s response saw Jackson have a shot deflected away for a corner by Mike Trought and Lewis send a well-struck shot into a massed penalty area. The final ten minutes of the half did see City produce their one and only decent spell of the game. Mitch Counsell’s cross almost deceived keeper Taylor, clipping the top of the bar, before Bennett’s great dummy sent Jim Rollo free down the right. His cross lacked strength though and Salter could only head wide. Finally on 43 minutes Bennett’s pace took him clear of his marker. Cleverley was unmarked in the centre but he chose to shoot. Taylor wasn’t called into action.
This was as good as it got for City as the visitors began to noticeably gain the upper hand in the second half. Shore did waste a 61st minute free kick, firing against the wall after Cleverley was fouled. The signs that Hinckley were threatening to break the deadlock grew with Mark Bryant having to block Lewis’ shot after 64 minutes. Two minutes later the goal arrived. Cartwright was given too much space down the right and his cross was turned home by Jenkins. Dwayne Plummer replaced Salter shortly after this but before he even touched the ball Hinckley struck again. Lewis made room for himself in the City box and confidently placed a shot past Bryant. Two minutes later City’s frustrations boiled over. Bennett was fouled near the touchline and in the melee that followed assistant manager Gary Smart threw the ball at Lenton. He was set from the dug-out leaving physio Dave Lukins in charge as manager Alan Pridham was absent for personal reasons. The Leicestershire side were happy to sit back now and with the exception of a couple of long range Shore efforts that did at least test Taylor they comfortably made the final whistle with little worry.