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Saturday 20 December 2003 - Broadfield Stadium - kick off 3.00pm Dr Martens Premier Division 
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| half-time: 0-1 | result: L0-2 | attendance: 805 |
| team: | Northmore, Coupe, Jenkins, Jones (c), Trought, Rollo, Jefferies (Welch 68), Owers, Bennett, Eaton, Hawkins. subs not used: Bryant, Howarth, Hulbert, Cleverley. |
| man of the match: | Gary Owers |
| scorers: | none |
| bookings: | Jeffries (56) |
| dismissal: | Coupe (80) |
| officials: | B Gee, N Birch, L Walshe |
| league position: 22nd | form: LWWLWL | next match: Tiverton (H) |
When you have suffered at the hands of incompetent refereeing one week you wouldn’t think it unreasonable to expect a little better luck in the next. However, when you are struggling you can nearly always guarantee there will be a man in black ready to put the boot in. Seven days previous it was referee Mr Faulkner who showed some ridiculous early Christmas generosity by failing to dismiss Welling United keeper Kelly after he had brought down Darren Hawkins. This time it was a linesman who was the architect of City’s frustrations and eventual downfall. With City having just shaded a largely uneventful first half the incident that turned the game away from them came four minutes before the interval. Mike Trought initially made an error in allowing a long clearance to bounce but recovered brilliantly to slide in and dispose MacDonald. There were no appeals from anywhere but as the players were heading to their positions for the resultant corner the linesman’s flag went up and then across his chest. Even the referee couldn’t believe the decision but following a brief chat with his assistant showed the usual weak officiating at this level and failed to overrule him. MacDonald scored from the spot and City were heading toward their sixth successive league defeat.
Before this blow City had once again produced an improved performance that was again lacking a cutting edge. With Russell Milton failing to recover from the back injury he received at Welling and Alfie Carter omitted from the squad due to disciplinary reasons, Jim Rollo was restored to the starting line-up and Josh Jeffries was give a rare start wide right. A third unforced change saw fit-again Frankie Bennett replace Danny Cleverley up front. In several places on the pitch there was considerable surface water and this plus a strong swirling wind made decent football difficult, although City initially adapted to the conditions better than the home side. The ninth minute saw the first opening for City, Jason Eaton turning well before hooking a shot wide. Crawley responded with MacDonald blasting over from Armstrong’s through ball. MacDonald was also denied an opening by Darren Hawkins’ well-timed tackle. On 23 minutes a strong run by Rollo ended with keeper Little claiming his cross before Bennett could apply a finishing touch. Former City midfielder Dwayne Plummer showed his usual lack of composure by earning a caution for a foul on Bennett and then just escaped a second minutes later after felling Gary Owers. He also showed the other side to his game, forcing Ryan Northmore into a smart save after 34 minutes, but a minute later was replaced by Fear as he threatened to leave the home side a man down. Eaton fired another shot straight at Little and Mike Trought headed Matt Coupe’s free-kick wide as City again pushed forward. A brief flurry of corners for Town saw Steve Jones clear Wilson-Denis’ shot off the line before the turning point of the game arrived. MacDonald nearly grabbed a second goal in first half stoppage time, Coupe’s tackle (that looked a damn sight nearer a foul that Trought’s challenge) preventing him testing Northmore.
The second half began with Hawkin’s trying his luck from 25-yards and Bennett failing to find a finish to match the quality of the weaving run that preceded it. However, it was clear that the penalty had knocked City and their Sussex opponents were beginning to gain a clear upper hand. Kirkwood shot wide and Wilson-Denis slipped at the vital moment from Armstrong’s pass. These escapes were only temporary though as Crawley doubled their lead on 58 minutes. Typically Coupe’s challenge was harshly penalised and from Fear’s free-kick Hemsley headed home after Pullen had flicked on. MacDonald and Wilson-Denis saw further chances come and go before City’s frustrations finally overcame them. Coupe’s 79th minute lunging challenge on Gregory made little contact but not for want of trying and he was shown a straight red card. An unlikely comeback was almost sparked into life when Little produced an excellent one-handed save from Bennett after 83 minutes, although it was Crawley who nearly increased their advantage late on, MacDonald and Armstrong both forcing a fine stop from Northmore.