CITY CLAIM THE POINTS AT BELLE VUE

Rhyl suffered a pre-match blow when experienced defender Carl Ruffer was injured in the warm-up and ex-City man Paul O'Neill was promoted to the starting 11.
And it was O'Neill who had the first opportunity, stabbing wide from close range after George Horan knocked on Matty Holt's free-kick from halfway.
Christian Seargeant was first to threaten for Bangor, working the ball on to his left foot but firing wide from outside the box.
In the ninth minute the impressive Seargeant crossed low from the byeline, Rhyl struggled to clear and Gareth Wilson clearly brought down Ashley Stott in the six-yard box.
Former Lilywhite Marc Limbert stepped up to confidently send Lee Kendall the wrong way from the spot.
Rhyl responded well with Michael White's effort past stranded keeper Paul Smith being cleared by the City defence.
On 15 minutes Horan was rightfully booked for a late tackle on Les Davies to the right of the Rhyl box. From the Limbert free-kick, Stott blasted over from 15 yards.
Andy Moran went close for the hosts on 27 minutes when he struck a fierce right-footer which caught the swirling wind and Smith did well to save.
Michael Walsh drove wide for the visitors, then Mark Connolly had a shot blocked before Wilson's left foot effort just missed the target.
Slightly against the run of play Bangor made it 2-0 on 38 minutes.
Davies headed on a long ball, Stott skilfully flicked on to Seargeant, and he left Holt and O'Neill standing before driving into the bottom corner.
Connolly headed over from four yards, then just before the break Hunt was booked for alleged use of an elbow in an aerial challenge.
HALF-TIME: Rhyl 0 Bangor 2.
The second period saw Rhyl emerge as much more of an attacking force.
Hunt had an opportunity on 48 minutes but his attempted flick over Smith was comfortably collected by the keeper.
Then in the 56th minute White's first effort was cleared off the line by Lee Webber and he blazed his much easier second chance well over.
Hunt was looking very dangerous and his overhead kick from a White cross sailed inches wide.
In the 65th minute White laid the ball off to Connolly whose rocket was deflected on to the underside of the bar by Michael Johnston.
Seconds later Craig Jones sent in a fine cross from the right and Hunt scored with a glancing header.
Bangor were denied what looked a clear penalty when Stuart Graves brought down Walsh in the box, then Jones found Hunt whose shot was deflected for a corner.
Hunt was looking a potential matchwinner, but then the man who threatened to turn the game for Rhyl ended up indirectly losing them it.
The striker played a neat back-heel to Connolly whose return pass was hit too firmly. Smith was odds-on to gather but Hunt kept going, lungeing in and clattering the keeper. Referee Neil Morgan rightly brandished the red card.
This took the edge off Rhyl's attacking effort and Bangor began to threaten more on the counter.
On 81 minutes a tackle on Limbert caused the City wide-man to be stretchered off. From the resulting free-kick, Davies' rocket was fantastically saved by Kendall.
Limbert did return briefly, but was soon replaced by Craig Hutchinson.
Stott headed just wide at the back post, then late on Johnston almost volleyed past his own keeper, but Smith was in the right place.
In the dying moments, Smith also denied substitute Dave Cameron from point blank range.
Rhyl ended the match on the attack, but City held on for a famous win greeted with joy by their vociferous travelling support.
Overall, perhaps a draw would have been a fairer result, but credit to City for the positive way they approached this game.
So many teams come to Belle Vue to shut up shop, but Bangor went for it from the off and played like a side in form.
As for Rhyl, it's another blow in their title quest and they can afford few more slip-ups if they are to be realistic about a top-two finish.
RHYL: Lee Kendall, Craig Jones, Matty Holt (Chris Sharp 74), Mark Connolly, George Horan, Paul O'Neill, Gareth Wilson, Michael White (Dave Cameron 81), Lee Hunt, Andy Moran, Stuart Graves. Unused sub: Mitchell Booth.
BANGOR CITY: Paul Smith, Dave Swanick, Martin Beattie, Michael Johnston, Lee Webber, Kieran Killackey, Marc Limbert (Craig Hutchinson 84), Michael Walsh, Les Davies, Ashley Stott (Peter Hoy 87), Christian Seargeant (Sion Edwards 75)
MAN OF THE MATCH:
Rhyl - Mark Connolly
Bangor - Christian Seargeant.
Attendance: 722.