Bath City 2 Chelmsford City 1: A battling display saw Bath City snatch all three points from Blue Square South play-off contenders Chelmsford City despite playing with only 10 men for the entire second period.

It was a case of déja vu for the Essex side as in November they lost at home to a 10-man Bath side following the dismissal of goalkeeper Paul Evans.

Bath had much the better of proceedings initially, but the game turned when Lewis Hogg was sent off for a second bookable offence – both fouls on James Lawson.

The fiery midfielder only left the pitch after words with both the referee and Lawson.

From the resulting free-kick, the Clarets went in front as Sam Sloma swung the ball across the Bath area and Dave Rainford beyond Evans.

However, the 10 men dug deep and made a spirited comeback in the second half.

Only six minutes after the interval, Steve Ward fouled Bath's Sekani Simpson 30 yards from goal and, in a carbon copy of the Chelmsford goal, Adam Connolly put a perfect ball into the box for Dave Gilroy to head home.

Bath continued to press forward and were rewarded with the winner 20 minutes from time.

Stuart Douglas was fouled in the penalty area and Gilroy converted from the spot for his, and Bath's, second of the afternoon.

Delighted Bath boss Adie Britton said: "As we have said so many times over the last three or four years, this side doesn't lack spirit.

"You could sense in the dressing room at half-time that the game was not over. The lads really believed they could get back into it and they did."

Britton also signalled potential changes at Twerton Park as Paul Evans plans to emigrate to Australia in the summer, while Scott Rogers may be on the move to Newport County in the close season.