There are a few things guaranteed in life. Death, taxes, City losing at Aldershot - often aided by somewhat adrift officialdom. This 8th visit to the Rec (sorry, the "EBB Stadium") since the formation of the "new" Aldershot ended the way of the other 7.

City made two changes to the side which was humiliated at Curzon Ashton, Ryan Harley returning to the starting line-up in place of the suspended Matt Gill, while Richard Logan missed out on the 16 altogether (injured?)  with Steve Basham earning a start. Therefore, the City line-up was: Jones in goal, a back four of Moxey, Tully, Seaborne and Taylor. The central midfielders were Harley, Edwards and Cozic, with Basham and Stewart supporting Stansfield up front. On the bench were Marriott, Obersteller, Panther, Sercombe and Watson.

It was the visitors who made the brighter start, settling quickly into the sort of rhythm that has heralded five away victories to date. An early corner saw Danny Seaborne rise highest to nod just over the bar. At the other end, Paul Jones dealt comfortably with a number of testing crosses. City perhaps thought they might have a shout for a penalty (unfortunately your writer was unsighted) in a move that led to Marcus Stewart heading tamely over the bar, while a succession of corners failed to yield a serious effort on goal.

And that was part of the problem. City were creative, Ryan Harley slotting nicely back into the side, but lacked the cutting edge to break down Aldershot. Time after time Adam Stansfield chased a lost cause, only to find a lack of support from midfield - an area where the drive of Matt Gill was sorely missed, as City failed to attack with numbers.

So, the interval came with City well ahead on points but having failed to strike the knockout blow. To keep up with the Boxing analogies, a bruised and battered Aldershot returned several minutes later than City from their corner invigorated, and set about chasing the win. Meanwhile, the officials who were excellent in the first half appeared to have been replaced with incompetent doubles. On a couple of occasions Aldershot will feel they should have done better, as City looked leaden-footed.

The goal, when it came, will go down as one that Steve Tully will not wish to see again. City were awarded a dangerous looking free-kick in the inside left channel. However, instead of putting a ball into the box or taking a shot, City faffed around and lost the ball, which the defence hoofed up the pitch. With Danny Seaborne beaten, Tully came across to cover with John Grant bearing down. Tully looked to play the ball back to Jones, but completely miscued, playing in Grant, who slotted past Jones.

Dean Moxey nearly restored parity with a scorching right foot shot that Nikki Bull in the Aldershot goal brilliantly parried (although the ball might just have been going wide). City by now were getting a very raw deal from the officials - various clear fouls going unpunished, while Rob Edwards found himself in the book following a clash in midfield that appeared also to have yielded a punch thrown by an Aldershot player that the Ref (Mr Miller) either didn't see or ignored. A few seconds later another flashpoint saw Matt Taylor and Marvin Morgan go into Mr Miller's book with another clash that almost spawned a mass brawl. City in the meantime made their subs - firstly a double change with Obersteller and Panther replacing Cozic and Basham, before Watson then replaced Edwards.

What appeared to be a fatal blow to City's chances was dealt with about 15-20 minutes remaining. Davies and Moxey chased a ball towards the edge of City's box. As the ball entered the area Moxey put in a superb shoulder charge, only to find the linesman flagging furiously and putting his flag to his chest. Penalty - cue wild protests from City and the massed ranks of fans who enjoyed a good view of the incident. Moxey, for confronting the linesman (albeit his language was clean - merely saying "Why?" over and over), earned a yellow card.

John Grant stepped up, and justice was done as Jones parried the shot. Grant had another try, Jones saving superbly again, the ball fell again to an Aldershot player, Jones saved again, before finally the ball went out for a goal kick.

City, galvanised by the penalty save, tried to get back into the match, but Stansfield, clearly fouled inches outside the box, was again given nothing. He later hit the bar with a superb header, but the flag had long since gone up, before Aldershot were reduced to 10 men. Tully had the ball near the edge of his own box, and Danny Hylton launched into a disgraceful challenge. Mr Miller had his hand in his back pocket almost before Hylton had finished scything Tully down, and Hylton had no choice but to trudge off.

With not much time left, City looked to chase the game, Obersteller and Panther in particular looking dangerous. Panther waltzed through the defence, but when it came to pulling the trigger he was found wanting, and miskicked into the grateful arms of Bull. At the other end Aldershot looked dangerous on the break, Jones having to be alert on several occasions, before time ran out.

It is all well and good blaming the officials, who in the second half had an absolute shocker - City seemed to get nothing while the penalty decision was a disgrace to say the least. However, despite their almost total domination of the first half, City failed to test Nikki Bull until Moxey's shot in the second half. At times it seemed Stansfield was totally isolated up front, with the rest of the City side left back in their own half. When City did attack, it was without purpose - on numerous occasions the situation was crying out for a shot of any kind - even if it misses the target at least it shows intent. Aldershot obviously sensed City were toothless, and came out for the second half with added purpose - with the reward of the only goal of the match.

In terms of individuals, Paul Jones was superb at the back - a few kicking indiscretions aside - with some top-class saves to keep out the penalty and various follow-ups. Bertie Cozic and Ryan Harley linked up well in midfield, while subs Manny Panther and Jack Obersteller both came out well ahead of the ledger with all-action displays. Sadly, this was a performance that was possibly more than the sum of its parts, leaving City coming out of darkest Aldershot empty-handed as usual.