Lancaster City 0 Manchester City 3

"LANCASTER? It's a beautiful city," said Manchester City's boss Joe Royle when asked what he thought of Lancaster City Football Club.

And the Dolly Blues' chances of promotion? "I don't know."

But Mr Royle had to concede that Lancaster had the beating of the former Manchester giants in the first half.

Admittedly the second period was a different story after Barry Conlon scored the first of his three goals in the second minute of the restart.

The whole match could have been different if returning hero Stuart Diggle had scored a penalty in the 11th minute. But Diggle, who was instrumental in securing the club's promotion to the Unibond League before his departure, fluffed this opportunity in front of a big home crowd.

But he will surely be forgiven by the Lancaster support as one of their best players on the night.

Hat-trick hero Barry Conlon was man of the match and the Maine Road men's best player with his fellow stars from the big time Jim Whitley and Lee Crooks making some impact in the second half.

Really though this was a lack lustre affair that could have done with some of the more famous men from Manchester on view.

In the end the signature hunting boys all made a bee-line for Royle and left every one of the players they'd just seen alone.

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