The season has not been too kind to City at this early stage, facing old rivals Gosport Borough in their first home fixture on Tuesday night they lost three key players to injury and shipped a goal in the 91st minute when down to 10 men. The first half was a scrappy affair with neither side exerting much pressure. An early chance fell to Moussa Mamadou but he put his shot wide and at the other end City had a let-off when a cross from the left was headed wide.
After only 16 minutes Winchester lost centre forward Brett Williams who received a knock to the head and was eventually taken to hospital by ambulance. Richard Gregory substituted. While City were re-arranging their pattern of play Gosport struck and only the timely intervention of Clint Davies' feet saved a goal as the keeper hacked the ball off the line.
Gosport began to exert some pressure but City's midfield and defence were well able to contain the threat, playing as a better unit than at Paulton Rovers. Again Matt Bowler led by example. In fact it was Bowler who set up a chance with a fine cross to James Eyles but his shot was cleared. Mamadou set up Gregory who put in a long run and shot with a defender converting the ball for a corner. Eyles had a long range effort tipped over for another corner which Bowler headed down but wide.
City started the second half on the attack with Steve Llewelyn heading close and Gregory forcing another corner which again Bowler got his head to but with no accuracy. Mamadou and Dave Allen began to gell and the former sent the latter away and his shot was just wide. With 20 minutes to go Manager Andy Leader replaced Eyles with Adam George and he had an almost immediate effect creating a chance for Adam Kelly to put in a good shot.
City continued to press when Gregory and Allen combined well for the skipper to shoot when a further pass may have been more productive. In the 78th minute City 'lost' Mamadou who limped off after receiving his third injury treatment of the match and was replaced by Kyle Joryeff and a few minutes later Allen, too, limped off and despite lengthy treatment was unable to return. With it looking likely that City would hold out for a draw, Gosport struck in the 91st minute, McEnery shooting home from close range after City's defence had failed to clear.
CITY: Clint Davies, James Wilson, Sam Lockyer, Kelly, Matt Bowler, Steve Llewelyn, James Eyles, Moussa Mamadou, Brett Williams, Dave Allen, Ian Thompson, Substitutes Kyle Joryeff (78th), Richard Gregory (16th), Adam George (70th), Joe Wright, Andy Samllpiece.
